commit

1
2
as in to pledge
to obligate by prior agreement we were committed to finishing the project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4

Synonym Chooser

How is the word commit distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of commit are confide, consign, entrust, and relegate. While all these words mean "to assign to a person or place for a definite purpose," commit may express the general idea of delivering into another's charge or the special sense of transferring to a superior power or to a special place of custody.

committed the felon to prison

When can confide be used instead of commit?

In some situations, the words confide and commit are roughly equivalent. However, confide implies entrusting with great assurance or reliance.

confided complete control of my affairs to my attorney

When could consign be used to replace commit?

The meanings of consign and commit largely overlap; however, consign suggests removing from one's control with formality or finality.

consigned the damaging notes to the fire

In what contexts can entrust take the place of commit?

The words entrust and commit can be used in similar contexts, but entrust implies committing with trust and confidence.

the president is entrusted with broad powers

Where would relegate be a reasonable alternative to commit?

While the synonyms relegate and commit are close in meaning, relegate implies a consigning to a particular class or sphere often with a suggestion of getting rid of.

relegated to an obscure position in the company

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of commit However, the acts [to] commit murder was on him as well. Michael Nied, People.com, 27 June 2025 Mayfield, now 49, was charged with one felony count of making a hate crime criminal threat with the ability to commit a violent injury, one felony count of criminal threats and one misdemeanor count of petty theft in September 2018. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025 According to two sources with direct knowledge, the principal cast is contractually committed for a fifth season if FX and Storer choose to proceed. Clayton Davis, Variety, 26 June 2025 Trumpeted as the second-highest prospect to commit to Maryland after Stone in 2015, Queen met and exceeded those expectations. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for commit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commit
Verb
  • The Treaty was executed by both the colonies and Great Britain, as well as by the other countries that had participated in the conflict.
    Michael Peregrine, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • For aspiring entrepreneurs, the platform provides a roadmap—from evaluating whether an idea is viable and profitable, to determining the necessary steps and legal requirements to operate in specific markets, and how to successfully execute the business plan.
    Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The to-be junior with a three-star rating pledged to Boston College in February, with Minnesota offering on May 1.
    Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 22 June 2025
  • Even as California’s legislative leaders pledge to make daily life more affordable in the state.
    Lupe Lopez, Mercury News, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • However, LeMahieu's bat leaves plenty to be desired, his defense at second base is not the best and Chisholm is a better defender at second base than in the hot corner.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • That left officials urging victims and survivors to come forward and work with authorities to ensure accountability.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • He’d been arrested and jailed after the victim’s death on unrelated charges in a different jurisdiction.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025
  • Venus' killer fled the scene and was never found, but the subjects of I'm Your Venus uncover new details related to the murder that weren't publicized at the time of the performer's death — including a disturbing confession from an unidentified man previously jailed over a rape case.
    EW.com, EW.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Capaldi has been slowly testing the waters of a comeback, performing a run of warm-up shows in Scotland as a guest of Tom Walker’s charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025
  • Most American metropolises perform well in the report’s measure of disposable income, particularly San Francisco (No. 3), Boston (No. 7), and Chicago (No. 8).
    Greg McKenna, Fortune, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • However, Netanyahu has vowed to fight on until all remaining hostages being held in Gaza are returned, a position at odds with a group representing relatives of the captives.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
  • In that respect the fall of the U.S. dollar may work to the advantage of Trump, who has vowed to bring back manufacturing jobs to the U.S. Advertisement On the other hand, the labor market, which has already become increasingly challenging, might be impacted.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • But once the group noticed that Ginny had already died and turned to a zombie, Maggie could not finish the job, and instead handed her knife to Negan to finish off the young girl.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 23 June 2025
  • Pahlavi, whose father was the last monarch overthrown during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, said Monday that Iran currently stands at a crossroads, warning that the West handing the current regime a lifeline would only result in more bloodshed.
    Danielle Wallace, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Those imprisoned under that code were forced to wear a pink triangle to denote homosexuality.
    Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025
  • The crackdown left hundreds killed, thousands imprisoned and several executed.
    Sahar Zand, ABC News, 28 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Commit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commit. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on commit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!