entrust

American  

[en-truhst] / ɛnˈtrʌst /

Sometimes intrust

verb (used with object)

1. to charge or invest with a trust or responsibility; charge with a specified office or duty involving trust.

   We entrusted him with our lives.

2. to commit (something) in trust to; confide, as for care, use, or performance.

   to entrust a secret, money, powers, or work to another.

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entrust British  

/ ɪnˈtrʌst /

verb

1. (usually foll by with) to invest or charge (with a duty, responsibility, etc)

2. (often foll by to) to put into the care or protection of someone

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Usage

It is usually considered incorrect to talk about entrusting someone to do something: the army cannot be trusted (not entrusted ) to carry out orders

Other Word Forms

• entrustment noun

Etymology

Origin of entrust

First recorded in 1595–1605; en- ¹ + trust

Explanation

To entrust is to give someone a responsibility you assume she will fulfill. If you entrust someone with the task of getting you to school on time, make sure she’s punctual. To entrust is to let someone take care of something for you because you believe she will protect it. It could be a duty or a thing — you might entrust a nursing home with the care of your parents or entrust an accountant with your finances. Entrust is a verb that needs an object, so you always entrust with or to something. If a friend entrusts you with a secret, she trusts you not to tell.

Example Sentences

Always there for him to confide in, complain to and entrust with his continually evolving thoughts on Jewish life and theology, Kaplan called these ledger-size handwritten volumes his “communings of the spirit.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Murrin’s case highlights pitfalls that lurk when people entrust someone with their taxes, according to Olson.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 27, 2026

When we entrust digital platforms with our biometric data, we hand over unique, irreplaceable biological identifiers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

They are "very clear and intentional about laying out the brand values and ethos", then "entrust you to go execute".

From BBC • Nov. 12, 2025

He had to entrust this draft to someone and give that person instructions on how to publish it in the event of his death.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman

Related Words

• allocate
• assign
• authorize
• commend
• commit
• confer
• confide
• hand over
• impose
• invest
• relegate
• trust
• turn over