confederate

7 synonyms and 1 antonym for confederate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Joined together in an alliance; united for a common purpose.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

associate

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

ally allied

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

accomplice co-conspirator confederative collaborator

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Joined together in an alliance; united for a common purpose.

“The confederate tribes shared defense responsibilities.”

accomplice co-conspirator ally associate confederative allied

Opposites

divided

2. noun

An accomplice who helps someone, often in something secretive or illegal.

“The thief and his confederate split the stolen goods.”

collaborator accomplice

How to use confederate

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a confederate of the gang confederate states

Etymology

From Late Latin cōnfoederātus, "bound together by treaty" — from con- ("together") + foederāre ("to establish a league").

Full origin of confederate →

Frequently asked questions

What does “confederate” mean?

The word “confederate” means joined together in an alliance; united for a common purpose. In plain terms, allied or joined with others — as an adjective for groups working together, or as a noun for a partner in a plot.

How do you pronounce “confederate”?

“Confederate” is pronounced kuhn-FEH-duh-ruht (/kənˈfɛdəɹət/ in IPA).

How do you use “confederate” in a sentence?

Here is “confederate” used in a sentence: “The confederate tribes shared defense responsibilities.”

What part of speech is “confederate”?

Depending on how it is used, “confederate” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “confederate” come from?

The word “confederate” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin cōnfoederātus, "bound together by treaty" — from con- ("together") + foederāre ("to establish a league").

Is “confederate” a common word?

“Confederate” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “confederate” have?

“Confederate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: joined together in an alliance; united for a common purpose.

What is the difference between a confederate and an accomplice?

A confederate is an accomplice who helps someone, often in something secretive or illegal, and the two words are closely related. Confederate can carry a slightly more formal or conspiratorial tone, often implying an ongoing alliance rather than a one-time act.

How is confederate used as an adjective?

As an adjective, confederate describes states or groups joined together in an alliance, united for a common purpose, as in "confederate states" or "confederate forces."

Can confederate be used as a verb?

Yes, as a verb, confederate means to join together in an alliance or conspiracy, describing the act of forming such a partnership rather than the resulting group or person.

People also searched

divided associate allied ally accomplice collaborator

Nearby words

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