confidant
Trusted inner-circle member
A confidant is someone you trust with private matters—a person to whom you confide secrets, fears, or sensitive information.
The relationship implies intimacy and discretion: She had been his confidant for years.
The feminine form confidante exists but is increasingly rare; confidant now serves for any gender.
One who advises
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
- guideLeader or instruction book
- consultantProfessional advice provider
- coachOne who instructs
adviser · sage · therapist · confessor · listener · sounding-board · counsel · guidance
Non-kin mutual bond
- companionOne who keeps company
- partnerOne who shares activity
- comradeFellow member, shared cause
- associateConnect mentally or socially
colleague · compatriot · fellow · mate · pal · buddy · chum · sidekick
State of proximity
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
- connectionA joining or relation
- bondingForming close connections
- empathySharing another's emotions
understanding · affinity · kinship · familiarity · warmth · heart-to-heart · soulmate · communion
Concealed information
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- privyOutdoor toilet; informed
classified · hush-hush · private · covert · undisclosed · revelation · confession · entrusted
Devoted loyalty maintained
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
- fidelityLoyalty or exactness
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
allegiance · dedication · constancy · staunchness · bond · solidarity · unwavering · reliable
Trust without proof
- relianceState of needing support
- beliefTrust held as true
- assuranceFirm promise or certainty
- trustworthinessQuality of being reliable
dependability · reliability · credence · honesty · integrity · sincerity · openness · candor
counselor
One who advises
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
- guideLeader or instruction book
- consultantProfessional advice provider
coach · adviser · sage · therapist · confessor · listener · sounding-board · counsel · guidance · wisdom
friend
Non-kin mutual bond
associate · colleague · compatriot · fellow · mate · pal · buddy · chum · sidekick · supporter
closeness
State of proximity
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
- connectionA joining or relation
- bondingForming close connections
empathy · understanding · affinity · kinship · familiarity · warmth · heart-to-heart · soulmate · communion · sharing
secrets
Concealed information
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- concealmentAct of hiding something
privy · classified · hush-hush · private · covert · undisclosed · revelation · confession · entrusted · sworn
faithfulness
Devoted loyalty maintained
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
- fidelityLoyalty or exactness
commitment · allegiance · dedication · constancy · staunchness · bond · solidarity · unwavering · reliable · dependable
faith
Trust without proof
trustworthiness · dependability · reliability · credence · honesty · integrity · sincerity · openness · candor · truthfulness
- helpersnurse, helper, volunteer, aide, assistant
- relationshipsfriends, romantic, family, friend, flirting
- supportsupport, emotional support, moral support, support group, stand by
- character typesprotagonist, hero, antagonist, villain, heroes
- friendsfriend, best friend, pal, buddy, pals
- Friendshipbest friend, bestie, BFF, buddy, pal
- trusted confidantReliable keeper of secrets