COMMIT Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

commit

verb

kə-ˈmit

Definition of commit

as in to execute

to carry through (as a process) to completion accused of committing a felony

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to pledge

to obligate by prior agreement we were committed to finishing the project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

renege

as in to leave

to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another commit only some power to each official

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to jail

to put in or as if in prison The defendant was committed to prison following the guilty verdict.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The announcement came just over a week after his rival for the last two titles, Max Verstappen, similarly committed to 2030 with Red Bull. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 Some teams commit to re-signing their veterans in week two, or place them on the practice squad for week one, with the promise of elevating them in week two. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026 Tri-County acknowledged issues with tree branches touching power lines and committed additional resources for tree trimming and system inspections, while local businesses reported lost revenue from outages that often last one to two hours. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 Shirley said the bill set a bad precedent, giving a hypothetical scenario of someone hiring a third party to commit violence in order to pin the blame on him. — Mackenzie Chase, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for commit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for commit

Verb

According to the United Nations, executions have surged over the last six months, with at least 56 people executed on national security charges since mid-March — including 27 linked to protests earlier this year.

— Greg Myre, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
Code executed during that interruption altered the prediction machinery before the processor could use it.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of execute

Verb

As part of a landmark settlement in a social media addiction case, the tech behemoth pledged to impose daily limits on use by teens and enhance its age verification measures, among other steps.

— Yasmin Vossoughian, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
Oracle, which announced Project Jupiter, has offered funding for youth programs and pledged to invest $50 million in water and wastewater systems in Doña Ana County.

— Will Weissert, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of pledge

Verb

In 2020, she was jailed for taking part in an anti-police brutality protest near the Kremlin with Pussy Riot, clad in their synonymous pink balaclavas.

— Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
The divorced father of two was jailed for a minimum of eight hours under Florida law before being released on bail.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of jail

Verb

With multiple three-home run games in a single month, Bregman became the first player since Adam Duvall (2020, Atlanta Braves) to accomplish the feat.

— Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Having won two conference titles at Troy (2022-23) and one at Tulane (2025) in four years as a head coach, Sumrall isn’t about to put a cap on what the 2026 Gators might accomplish.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of accomplish

Verb

His son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed to avenge his death.

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
Bonta also vowed to defend SB 976, the Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act, a new California law that is being challenged by tech giants on First Amendment grounds.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of vow

Verb

In addition, Pitarch has been handed an improved contract and is now considered a first-team player, despite retaining a Castilla squad number.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Days after the government reopened, the department signed agreements handing billions in grant programs to other federal agencies.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of hand

Verb

Crime, courts and policing A man falsely imprisoned for 18 years was exonerated of an Orange County robbery.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Daniels and Farinha have also both confronted their share of skeptics about the odds of turning around those who have been imprisoned as well as those heading in that direction.

— Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of imprison

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“Commit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commit. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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