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 next

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 Personal terms had not been expected to be an issue for Manchester United, but Tottenham’s salary offer was also viewed as beyond what the Old Trafford hierarchy were willing to commit to. —

Mark Critchley, New York Times, 4 July 2026 Modi last year met Microsoft chair and CEO Satya Nadella, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Intel’s CEO Lip-Bu Tan, with all of them committing to help develop India’s AI ecosystem. —

Kai Nicol-Schwarz,priyanka Salve, CNBC, 4 July 2026 Third baseman Ryan McMahon also committed a throwing error, New York's 19th in its last 14 games. —

ABC News, 4 July 2026 The actual abduction was committed, according to the feds, by supermarket owner Abu Chowdhury — who’s accused of heading a kidnapping ring that also snatched and tortured two men who crossed his vengeful wife, Iffat Lubna. —

John Annese, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for commit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for commit

Verb

Colombia’s goal wasn’t perfectly executed but was delivered with emphasis.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
On Wednesday, July 1, investigators executed a search warrant at the pair's residence on the 2400 block of Ruth Fitzgerald Drive in Plainfield, where both suspects were taken into custody.

— Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Definition of execute

Verb

With little chance of surviving the Senate’s 60-vote threshold known as the filibuster, Johnson has pledged to try and pass a version of it as a budget bill, which requires just a simple majority in the other chamber.

— Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 2 July 2026
In 2025, a consortium of private donors pledged $1 billion toward the FCC’s construction, marking the first time in CERN’s history that private philanthropy has committed to a flagship research project at this scale.

— Florencia Canelli, Scientific American, 1 July 2026

Definition of pledge

Verb

The video assistant referee called for a review of the play while the two were down getting tended to by trainers, leaving the Americans to nurse their lead down a man for the rest of the game.

— Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
Two of the attackers then smashed the windshield of the news van with a parking cone and damaged the camera before leaving the scene.

— Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 2 July 2026

Definition of leave

Verb

Jail records show that Alcin, Martinez, Cobas and Putney were all denied bond and remained jailed at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

— Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Also contentious was last year’s jailing of former Trade Minister Thomas Lembong over sugar import permits a decade ago despite no evidence of personal financial gain.

— Chandra Asmara, Fortune, 30 June 2026

Definition of jail

Verb

That Teng could even accomplish it and have some success speaks to his value and adaptability.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 29 June 2026
This allows the chef to charge for more hours of cooking and allows the client to get several days worth of meal planning accomplished in one visit.

— Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 June 2026

Definition of accomplish

Verb

Penn said the department will conduct both a criminal investigation and an internal administrative review and vowed to hold officers accountable based on the findings.

— Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
South Africa’s anti-migrant protest leaders vowed a rolling campaign targeting the country’s commercial hubs after tense nationwide protests ended with activists giving the government six months to enforce mass deportations and workplace quotas.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of vow

Verb

For purpose, whether anyone can trace their daily work to the larger picture without being handed a slogan.

— Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
In the midst of handing the job over to his son, even as Diego is making a speech about water supplies, hygiene and education, Don Alejandro snatches it back to cheers, clutches his heart and dies.

— Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of hand

Verb

He was imprisoned for three years in 2001 for inciting subversion of state power.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 June 2026
Xiaobo worked relentlessly as an advocate for democracy and reform in China, for which he was arrested and imprisoned multiple times; he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010.

— USA Today, USA Today, 29 June 2026