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

Example Sentences

In his First Inaugural Address, George Washington said “the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty” is “finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Constitution entrusts Congress with the power to “declare war.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Just like every other Academy kid, someone who had been entrusted to the Academy by my parents from birth, I’d grown up not owning much.

From Literature

“A country entrusting lethal decisions to a system that doesn’t share its loyalties is taking a profound risk, even if that system is trying to be principled,” Claude added.

From Los Angeles Times

As I take steps in teaching, sanctifying and leading, I hope to listen more than I speak and to learn from the people entrusted to my care.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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