commit

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 This historically woeful Texas defense forced only three turnovers from a 12-19 team that committed 74 over the last six games. Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026 Play continued momentarily but Orlando committed a foul to stop action and tend to Isaac, who was in clear pain. Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026 Burglary/Breaking & Entering – The unlawful entry into a building or some other structure to commit a felony or a theft. Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 13 Mar. 2026 But Pitino also believes Sellers’ defense has improved over the course of the season, and Thursday marked the fourth game in a row — and the seventh time in eight games — that Sellers did not commit a turnover. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for commit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commit
Verb
  • Search warrants were expected to be executed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, sources told the news agency.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Investigators also executed a warrant at a related address in New Jersey.
    Ashley Carnahan , Alexis McAdams , CB Cotton, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The market movements come one day after IEA member countries pledged to release 400 million barrels of reserves to help mitigate the oil being blocked from transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 13 Mar. 2026
  • In a social media post, Democratic elections lawyer Marc Elias pledged to sue the state if the bill is enacted.
    Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Late November through May is the dry season there, which means fewer rains to stir up the water—leaving it with some of the clearest visibility for snorkeling and diving all year.
    Annie Daly, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
  • San Francisco put on the hardest of sells on to try to keep the talented linebacker — head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch flew to Texas to try to talk him out of leaving — but Greenlaw ultimately chose the Broncos.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Other travelers have been burned, gored or even jailed after breaking park safety rules.
    Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Valizadeh is among at least 15 reporters currently jailed in Iran, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
    Philip Marcelo, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Mission accomplished on that front.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Taken together, these projects demonstrate what artists can accomplish outside of traditional institutional frameworks.
    Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday vowed to continue the attacks and keep the strait closed in his first public statement since succeeding his father, who was killed in the opening day of the war.
    Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Mojtaba Khamenei issued a fiery first public statement yesterday, vowing to keep blocking the vital Strait of Hormuz trade route and attacking Gulf states.
    NBC News, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In short, the court handed the president an off-ramp from one of the most unpopular economic policies of his second term, with a legitimate constitutional explanation attached.
    Jay Caruso, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Two weeks ago, Texas Tech handed Iowa State its only home loss of the season.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Women were punished differently — whipped, branded, sold, imprisoned, or quietly executed.
    Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Americans imprisoned on dubious charges Among the other Americans whose plight has become public is Afarin Mohajer, a California resident originally from Iran.
    Philip Marcelo, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Commit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commit. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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