COMMIT Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

commit

verb

kə-ˈmit

Definition of commit

as in to execute

to carry through (as a process) to completion accused of committing a felony

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to pledge

to obligate by prior agreement we were committed to finishing the project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

renege

as in to leave

to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another commit only some power to each official

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to jail

to put in or as if in prison The defendant was committed to prison following the guilty verdict.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Walmart has committed to placing 4,000 technicians by 2030 and has already trained and placed about 600, Stomski said. — Alice Barlow, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026 Kathryn pleaded guilty to murder, conspiracy to commit murder and felony discharge of a firearm in July 2025, according to ABC 4 and Fox 13. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026 This moves analytics beyond explaining what happened and toward generating actionable insights that can shape the next major trial before more capital is committed. — George Achilleos, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026 The brand has committed to discontinuing large-format liquid laundry bottles by 2030. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for commit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for commit

Verb

The 30-logical-qubit demonstration represents an important data point in the industry’s effort to move from isolated quantum experiments toward machines capable of executing increasingly long and reliable computations.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
Without official support from the US, however, any such agreement will be difficult to execute.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of execute

Verb

Following the incidents, OpenAI pledged to invest more in its safeguards and alignment work, which is the process where the company works to ensure that its models act in accordance with human interests and values.

— Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
David Jobin, the president and CEO of South Florida philanthropic organization Our Fund Foundation, said more people have reached out to pledge money in their wills and estates since anti-DEI laws began passing in Florida.

— Zoey Thomas, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of pledge

Verb

Additionally the company employs an all-local team of chefs, wilderness guides, and property managers—a commitment that helps address the region’s rural migration crisis, as young people leave their villages to find work in more urban areas.

— CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
As a result, some opted to cut their losses, selling their towers at steep losses or leaving their fates to the foreclosure block.

— Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of leave

Verb

Ratliff was arrested in September on murder charges and has pleaded not guilty and remains jailed without bond.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
In Bolivia, Yllanes was a divisive political figure during his lifetime, who was even jailed for his provocative artworks.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of jail

Verb

The award is given to an artist who is accomplished behind the camera as well as in front of it.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
After the Dodgers won in 2024, the commissioner’s office redefined competitive balance as how often a small-market team won the World Series, last accomplished by the 2015 Kansas City Royals.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of accomplish

Verb

Katherine García, director of the Sierra Club's Clean Transportation for All campaign, vowed the environmental group would fight the rule.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
The lawsuit, which was filed by Parton’s longtime manager Danny Nozell, accused Seaver of threatening violence and vowing to destroy the music icon’s legacy.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of vow

Verb

For Gulf governments, even discussing a US military drawdown while attacks spread across the region risks handing Iran a victory and leaving them more exposed.

— Becky Anderson, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
Hitting the brakes and handing control to the federal government just insures that China and other adversaries will leave us in the dust.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of hand

Verb

Danbi steals money from the church and ends up imprisoned, separated from her daughter (whom righteous John takes in), and responsible for her partner’s suicide.

— Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Flávio Bolsonaro’s main target is the judiciary that prosecuted and ultimately imprisoned his father.

— Andre Pagliarini, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of imprison

Cite this Entry

Style

“Commit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commit. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of commit

verb

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