Definition

Verb: - To confer a trust upon someone; to give someone the responsibility for something or someone, often with a sense of confidence in their care or honesty. It implies a formal or serious act of handing over something valuable (like a secret, a task, or a person) for safekeeping or management.

Usage

The verb "intrust" is used with an object (the thing or person being given) and is often followed by the preposition "to" or "with." - Intrust something to someone: This structure emphasizes the recipient of the responsibility. - Intrust someone with something: This structure emphasizes the person being given the responsibility.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• Legal/Formal Contexts: "Intrust" is often found in formal, legal, or literary contexts. In modern everyday English, "entrust" is the far more common spelling, but "intrust" carries the same meaning and is considered a correct, though less frequent, variant.
  • The will intrusts the estate to the eldest son.

Variants and Related Words

• Entrust (v.): The standard and more common modern spelling of "intrust." Both words are synonyms and can be used interchangeably.
  • He entrusted his savings to the bank.
• Trust (v.): A broader term meaning to believe in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something. "Intrust/entrust" is a more specific action that results from this feeling of trust.
  • I trust you to make the right decision. (This expresses confidence.)
  • I intrust/entrust this decision to you. (This is the act of formally giving the responsibility based on that confidence.)

Synonyms

• Commit: To give in charge or trust.
  • He committed the documents to the lawyer's care.
• Confide: To tell something secret or personal to someone you trust. It can be similar when referring to entrusting information.
  • She confided her fears to her friend.
• Delegate: To give (a task or responsibility) to another person, typically one who is less senior. This focuses more on assignment of duty than on safekeeping.
  • The manager delegated the report to her assistant.

Phrasal Verbs

(No common phrasal verbs are formed directly with "intrust.")

Related Idioms

• To place/put one's trust in someone: This idiom expresses the feeling of confidence that underlies the act of intrusting.
  • She placed her trust in the new security system.
• In good hands: An idiom describing a situation where something or someone has been safely intrusted to a capable person.
  • Don't worry, your project is in good hands with her.

Verb

1. confer a trust upon
   • The messenger was entrusted with the general's secret
   • I commit my soul to God