confederate

[ adjective noun kuhn-fed-er-it, -fed-rit; verb kuhn-fed-uh-reyt ]

adjective

1. united in a league, alliance, or conspiracy.
2. (initial capital letter) of or relating to the Confederate States of America:

   the Confederate army.

noun

1. a person, group, nation, etc., united with others in a confederacy; an ally.

   Synonyms: cohort, partner, associate

2. an accomplice, especially in a mischievous or criminal act.
3. (initial capital letter) U.S. History. a supporter of the Confederate States of America.

verb (used with or without object)

, con·fed·er·at·ed, con·fed·er·at·ing.

1. to unite in a league, alliance, or conspiracy.

confederate

¹

noun

1. a nation, state, or individual that is part of a confederacy
2. someone who is part of a conspiracy; accomplice

adjective

1. united in a confederacy; allied

verb

1. to form into or become part of a confederacy

Confederate

²

/ -ˈfɛdrɪt; kənˈfɛdərɪt /

adjective

1. of, supporting, or relating to the Confederate States of America

noun

1. a supporter of the Confederate States of America

Confederate

1. A descriptive term for the institutions and people of the Confederacy .

Other Words From

• half-Con·feder·ate adjective
• noncon·feder·ate adjective noun
• pro-Con·feder·ate adjective
• uncon·feder·ated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of confederate¹

1350–1400; Middle English confederat < Late Latin confoederātus (past participle of confoederāre to unite in a league), equivalent to con- con- + foeder- (stem of foedus ) treaty ( fidelity ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of confederate¹

C14: from Late Latin confoederātus, from confoederāre to unite by a league, from Latin com- together + foedus treaty

Example Sentences

Also, presidential immunity doesn’t extend to other executive branch officials, and Trump will need confederates in the Justice Department to do his bidding.

From Los Angeles Times

Harris and two confederates armed themselves and stormed her apartment on Feb. 4, 1974.

From Los Angeles Times

It also illustrates the continuing legal risk to the former president and, even more so, to Trump confederates such as Rudolph W. Giuliani.

From Los Angeles Times

In Georgia, Trump and his confederates are on trial for interfering in the election there as part of the Jan. 6 coup attempt and plot against democracy.

From Salon

After calling the surge at the border an “invasion” for the past three years, Trump loyalists recently organized a border caravan at the border complete with confederate flags and bathtub baptisms.

From Salon