confidante
Trusted inner circle
A confidante is a person, especially a woman, to whom secrets are entrusted.
The word implies deep trust and intimacy—a confidante knows what others don't: She had been my confidante since college.
The masculine form is confidant, though confidante now often applies regardless of gender.
Non-kin mutual bond
- companionOne who keeps company
- allySupportive partner
- sisterFemale sibling
- bestieClosest pal, informally
intimate · BFF · girlfriend · partner · comrade · mate · sidekick · right-hand
Admission of wrongdoing
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- privyOutdoor toilet; informed
- insiderOne with confidential access
discretion · revelation · vault · unburden · private · intimate · hush · entrust
State of proximity
- bondingForming close connections
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
- connectionA joining or relation
- heart-to-heartSincere personal discussion
soulmate · familiarity · affinity · kinship · empathy · understanding · sympathy · communion
One who attends aurally
- shoulderUpper arm joint
- pillarUpright architectural support
- anchorSecures ships to seabed
- mainstayPrimary source of support
encourager · advocate · comfort · reassurance · validation · sounding-board · empathizer · counsel
friend
Non-kin mutual bond
bestie · intimate · BFF · girlfriend · partner · comrade · mate · sidekick · right-hand
confession
Admission of wrongdoing
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- privyOutdoor toilet; informed
insider · discretion · revelation · vault · unburden · private · intimate · hush · entrust · reveal
closeness
State of proximity
- bondingForming close connections
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
- connectionA joining or relation
heart-to-heart · soulmate · familiarity · affinity · kinship · empathy · understanding · sympathy · communion · attachment
listener
One who attends aurally
mainstay · encourager · advocate · comfort · reassurance · validation · sounding-board · empathizer · counsel · guidance
trustworthy
Worthy of confidence
- reliableConsistently performing as expected
- dependableWorthy of trust
- faithfulConsistently loyal and true
loyal · steadfast · devoted · honest · sincere · discreet · true · unwavering · constant · safe
- femaleswoman, girl, lady, mother, daughter
- loverslover, lovers, beloved, sweethearts, sweetheart
- social tiesfriends, pals, buddies, mates, companions
- court ladieslady-in-waiting, maid of honor, gentlewoman, handmaiden, attendant
- wife'shusband, wedding, ring, anniversary, maiden name
- bondsbond, corporate bond, corporate bonds, government bond, municipal bond
confidanteenemy
Hostile opposing party
betrayer · foe · adversary · antagonist · nemesis
confidantestranger
Person not yet known
acquaintance · outsider · casual acquaintance · unknown · nodding acquaintance
- trusted confidantReliable keeper of secrets