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 United States Gold Bureau pros and cons Before committing to USGB, weigh these tradeoffs. Javier Simon, USA Today, 11 July 2026 He is committed to the Texas Longhorns, although his path likely travels straight to the MLB as a top pick. Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026 Some of the proposals include the city committing to not condemn the building and using the health department’s authority to make emergency repairs to the buildings. Dylan Lysen july 11, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2026 Cochran is the second player from Naperville Central’s Class 3A state runner-up team to commit to the Wolverines. Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for commit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commit
Verb
  • The community services district worked with Environmental Science Associates to execute the requirement, including consulting with Native American tribal partners.
    Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
  • In a July 9 Facebook post, the Nebraska Humane Society said its personnel executed a search warrant at a West Omaha residence following an anonymous tip about animals’ well-being.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • Earth Fire Alliance is supported by various philanthropic foundations, including the Bezos Earth Fund which pledged $26 million in June.
    Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
  • Aerospace and defense Defense stocks boomed last year as NATO and European countries pledged to drastically increase their security budgets.
    Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • Still others tend the fleet already in orbit, refueling, relocating, and extending the life of satellites, and clearing the debris that crowded orbits leave behind.
    Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
  • As a result, more producers have chosen to go elsewhere, leaving a quieter landscape for Georgians seeking employment in film and TV.
    Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 9 July 2026
Verb
  • In connection with both sweeps, she was arrested and briefly jailed for storing personal property in public.
    Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
  • This often means that those who are not persuaded by its teachings can be fined, jailed, even killed.
    Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • Junior Caminero has already done some things no Rays players had ever accomplished, such as extending his sizzling power show on Friday to include hitting 10 home runs over a 10-game span.
    Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2026
  • The same task can be accomplished with a pruning saw and sweat equity.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • Staging an Ultimate Fighting Championship event in front of the White House last month lost the company $30 million and left UFC president Dana White vowing to never stage something like that again.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • Egypt’s head coach, though, didn’t mention it during his post-match media duties and instead vowed to stop watching the tournament altogether.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • Bishop Seidenbusch handed him the missions of Northern Minnesota’s entirety in 1888, with an emphasis on Iron Range towns.
    Vivian Wilson, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026
  • Because money is fungible, by paying a candidate’s bills, a party is essentially handing him cash, undermining any limits on contributions.
    Barbara McQuade, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Verb
  • Jackson said that made his relationship to his country more complicated, especially after he was convicted on drug and weapons charges as a 21-year-old and imprisoned for over a year.
    Susan Bence, NPR, 4 July 2026
  • She was imprisoned multiple times between 2018 and 2020 during the investigation, spending nearly a year and a half in jail.
    Reuters, NBC news, 4 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Commit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commit. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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