commit

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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

Examples 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 But at no time did anyone think, or even suggest, that King had committed any sort of serious crime. Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2024 Curtis wanted Holland to sponsor a bill that would commit to ending the practice of organ trafficking. Barry Levitt, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024 The Raptors won their gamble by committing to a rebuild. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 10 Dec. 2024 DeVito did not commit a turnover in the loss to Tampa Bay, but the Giants were shut out until the fourth quarter. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for commit 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commit
Verb
  • Spending any time or resources to execute 32 steps when 11 would achieve the same outcome is still inefficient, even if the task is automated or AI-assisted.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Campbell made a controversial decision to execute an onside kick, which subsequently failed, in the fourth quarter when the Lions were trailing by 10 points with 12 minutes left on the clock.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The in-depth restoration process took more than 2,000 days of labor and involved over 2,000 people, with many of France’s wealthiest citizens pledging money to help rebuild the historical and cultural landmark, according to CNN.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Trump, who takes office on January 20, has pledged to end the war in Ukraine swiftly, though without specifying how, raising concerns in Kyiv about future negotiations.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The Cleveland Fed’s CPI supports this view and should leave the door open to a 25 basis point cut at the December meeting.
    Bill Stone, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
  • As a result, Hezbollah pulled its forces out of Syria to focus on its war with Israel, leaving Assad exposed, experts said.
    Mostafa Salem, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • That includes the men and women in the Justice Department who fought valiantly to jail Trump for numerous crimes.
    Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
  • He was jailed for a minimum of 16 years this summer.
    K.J. Yossman, Variety, 27 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Kamilah performed an original rap that hyped up Seacrest.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
  • This can be performed in separate locations or between individuals in the same room using a speakerphone.
    Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • As law enforcement gathered information about the life and recent whereabouts of the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, an attorney representing the suspect vowed to fight extradition to New York City.
    Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Following the downfall of the Bashar Assad regime, the Biden administration is trying to strike a careful balance -- promising to allow the Syrian people to chart their own course while also vowing to protect American interests and prevent an enduring power vacuum from taking hold in the country.
    Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Soros recently handed control over his multibillion-dollar Open Society Foundations over to his son, Alex Soros, following the 2022 midterm elections.
    Scott Walter, Baltimore Sun, 5 Dec. 2024
  • How Creighton handed Kansas a loss Kansas entered Wednesday’s road game against Creighton as the No. 1 team in the nation, and an undefeated one at that.
    Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Several already have been convicted and imprisoned.
    Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Trump could yet be imprisoned for those 34 felony counts.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near commit

Cite this Entry

“Commit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commit. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on commit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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