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

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

From MarketWatch • Feb. 27, 2026

Major investors and tenants also remain reluctant to entrust multibillion-dollar decisions to unproven platforms.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 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

It’s not the sort of stage most teams with College Football Playoff aspirations would willingly entrust to a walk-on.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2025

No one knew of his letter but Robb Stark; they were no fools, to entrust their secrets to a bird.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Related Words

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