English · Word Candidate

confederate

/kənˈfɛdəɹət/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: confederates · confederating · confederated

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Of, relating to, or united in a confederacy

Adjective

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

Banded together; allied.

Adjective

All the swords / In Italy, and her confederate arms, / Could not have made this peace.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

A member of a confederacy.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

An accomplice in a plot.

Noun

By'th'vvay, vve met my vvife, her ſiſter, and a rabble more Of vilde confederates : […]

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “confederate” mean?

Of, relating to, or united in a confederacy

Is “confederate” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.