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confederate

confederates; confederated; confederating

A confederate is an ally — someone who's on your side. Your brother, the artist, might be your only confederate in your goal of studying modern dance in Paris this summer.

A confederate is anyone who supports you and works toward the same goal with you. When it is used in the context of government or politics, it means "united by a treaty," like two countries that have joined forces against a third. When the first letter is capitalized, Confederate refers to the southern United States during the Civil War, which were confederates in their fight to secede from the rest of the country.

Definitions of confederate
  1. adjective
    united in a confederacy or league
    synonyms: allied, confederative
    united
    characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
  2. verb
    form a group or unite
    synonyms: band together
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    type of:
    unify, unite
    act in concert or unite in a common purpose or belief
  3. verb
    form a confederation with; of nations
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    type of:
    unify, unite
    act in concert or unite in a common purpose or belief
  4. noun
    a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan (especially an unethical or illegal plan)
    synonyms: accomplice
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    types:
    decoy, steerer
    a beguiler who leads someone into danger (usually as part of a plot)
    roper
    a decoy who lures customers into a gambling establishment (especially one with a fixed game)
    shill
    a decoy who acts as an enthusiastic customer in order to stimulate the participation of others
    type of:
    assistant, help, helper, supporter
    a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
  5. noun
    someone who assists in a plot
    synonyms: collaborator, henchman, partner in crime
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    type of:
    accessary, accessory
    someone who helps another person commit a crime
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘confederate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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