1
as in committing
to obligate by prior agreement
I would love to go to dinner with you, but I've pledged myself to a play with my parents that night
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pawning
to leave as a guarantee of repayment of a loan
pledged their house against the loan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in vowing
to make a solemn declaration of intent
I pledge that I will abide by all of the rules of this organization
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Recent Examples of pledging
Porter was also the most extravagant in her promises, pledging to deliver universal healthcare to California — a years-old Democratic ambition — free child care, zero tuition at the state’s public universities and elimination of the state income tax for those earning less than $100,000.
—
Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Trump entered office in January 2025 pledging to roll back the Biden administration’s crackdown on crypto.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Porter was also the most extravagant in her promises, pledging to deliver universal healthcare to California — a years-old Democratic ambition — free child care, zero tuition at the state’s public universities and elimination of the state income tax for those earning less than $100,000.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Despite the partisan bickering, governors of both parties are pledging to set aside their differences at their annual meetings (even if some snub the White House in protest).
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
In addition to the $2 billion the Bears are willing to put toward infrastructure and stadium construction, the state of Indiana is pledging to back bonds that would be repaid with tax revenue from the site as well as the city of Hammond and Lake and Porter counties.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 19 Feb. 2026
Watson, the once-prominent Denver developer behind Northstar Commercial Partners, and his firm were found by nine jurors to have defrauded investors in 11 real estate projects in Colorado and beyond by pledging to invest 5% of their own equity and then not doing so.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Orbán’s main challenger in the April 12 vote, Péter Magyar of the center-right Tisza party, launched his campaign to unseat his former ally on Sunday, pledging to fight corruption and restore Hungary’s alignment toward Western Europe.
—Peter Weber, TheWeek, 17 Feb. 2026
Wealthy donors are pledging to contribute to these accounts.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Trump entered office in January 2025 pledging to roll back the Biden administration’s crackdown on crypto.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Porter was also the most extravagant in her promises, pledging to deliver universal healthcare to California — a years-old Democratic ambition — free child care, zero tuition at the state’s public universities and elimination of the state income tax for those earning less than $100,000.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Despite the partisan bickering, governors of both parties are pledging to set aside their differences at their annual meetings (even if some snub the White House in protest).
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
In addition to the $2 billion the Bears are willing to put toward infrastructure and stadium construction, the state of Indiana is pledging to back bonds that would be repaid with tax revenue from the site as well as the city of Hammond and Lake and Porter counties.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 19 Feb. 2026
Watson, the once-prominent Denver developer behind Northstar Commercial Partners, and his firm were found by nine jurors to have defrauded investors in 11 real estate projects in Colorado and beyond by pledging to invest 5% of their own equity and then not doing so.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Orbán’s main challenger in the April 12 vote, Péter Magyar of the center-right Tisza party, launched his campaign to unseat his former ally on Sunday, pledging to fight corruption and restore Hungary’s alignment toward Western Europe.
—Peter Weber, TheWeek, 17 Feb. 2026
Wealthy donors are pledging to contribute to these accounts.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pledging
Verb
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Literalizing themes of codependency and fear of commitment, Together cleverly sells its message while gleefully committing to the twistedness of it all.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Giddey added five assists while committing four turnovers.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Brasília and Delhi agreed to a mining pact following Lula’s visit to India last week, with both nations vowing to play a bigger role in rare earths production, an industry currently dominated by China.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
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In Washington, congressional Democrats have made a mask ban for ICE a key issue in the ongoing partial government shutdown, vowing not to fund the Department of Homeland Security until one is enacted.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Inside, hyaluronic acid microspheres and peptides draw moisture into the lips, while botanical butters lock it in; depositing onto lips a cooling, balm texture that enhances comfort.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
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The voter can review all the choices again before actually depositing it in the ballot box.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Trump has vowed to pursue alternative legal mechanisms to keep import taxes in place, promising a fresh round of legal and political battles.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
23 Feb. 2026
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Crain issued a public apology following the arrest, promising residents his commitment to the city would not waiver.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Davidson, whose tics include swearing, is expected to attend the ceremony, meaning any winner’s speech would be observed closely by producers if it were broadcast before the 9PM watershed.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2026
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The swearing-in ceremony drew an array of Texas Democrats and highlighted his labor organizer roots.—
Philip Jankowski,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pledging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pledging. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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