Definition of commitnext
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as in to pledge
to obligate by prior agreement we were committed to finishing the project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 In late July, HRW released a book-length report documenting the crimes committed in the first four months of the conflict. Aryeh Neier, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026 Lined up directly across the line of scrimmage from the junior for most of the game was one of the top wide receivers in the state, Mount Vernon senior and Georgia commit Taurean Rawlins. Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 5 Sep. 2026 The typical approach treats the data layer as the last thing to figure out, by which point the team has already committed to patterns that will break under AI load. Gopi Duddi, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026 In 2015, high-profile residents including Dustin Hoffman, Ray Romano and Pierce Brosnan committed to a $31-million restoration project to bolster the beach’s sand. Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for commit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commit
Verb
  • Artificial intelligence is the latest trading innovation, helping traders analyze data, find patterns, test strategies, manage risk, and execute trades.
    Brian Lund, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The model is pulled in ten different directions by different internal product teams, resulting in an interface that suffers from sudden behavioral resets and an inability to smoothly execute complex, multi-turn human requests.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Wong has pledged to donate his pay increase to charity for five years.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Over 10 years ago, the company pledged to invest $5 million and create 200 jobs in Charlotte, but now the majority of those jobs are gone.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • That leaves Christina Koch as the only crew member still on the active astronaut rolls.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Giffords was shot during an assassination attempt in 2011 but has stayed active in politics since leaving Congress.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The move means the pair will remain jailed during what could be a monthslong extradition process.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
  • In 2024, former transport minister Subramaniam Iswaran was jailed for accepting more than $300,000 in gifts while in office.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • If someone dominates the conversation, redirect attention to what the group is trying to accomplish.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Chargers star Justin Herbert shares a Westside apartment with his older brother, Mitch, an orthopedic surgery resident who is still in awe at what Justin has accomplished in his NFL career.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton is vowing to abolish California’s DMV and cap annual vehicle registration at $73, framing the proposal as a strike against soaring living costs.
    Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Saudi had vowed to retaliate after the Houthis carried out their largest attack on the kingdom since a 2022 ceasefire, injuring 73 people and disrupting oil production.
    Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Recent polling handed Sand a slight edge over Lahn, with Emerson College Polling showing a 49%-46% split in the Democrat’s favor.
    Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2026
  • For more than a decade, the internet handed entrepreneurs a remarkable shortcut.
    Richard McSweeney, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Some of the thugs were actual neo-Nazis, led by real-life Russian fascist Maksim Martsinkevich, who would later be imprisoned for posting racist videos, investigated for murder and, in 2020, found dead in his cell of an apparent suicide.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Holmes is currently imprisoned after being found guilty in 2022 of fraud.
    Mason Leib, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Commit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commit. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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