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 Barron originally committed to Baylor before decommitting after coach Matt Rhule departed for the NFL. — Sam Jane, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026 He was charged with first-degree kidnapping, assault causing serious injury, conspiracy to commit a felony and first-degree arson. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026 When his mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1997, Dempsey committed to improving cancer care in his home state. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026 Replies mixed excitement with skepticism, and fans picked titles rather than committing to everything. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for commit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for commit

Verb

The property, which takes up residence in an 18th-century palazzo, looks fresh-faced and gorgeous after a multi-year and multi-phase renovation executed through the peak of the pandemic.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
In July, Florida became the first state in nearly a decade to execute two prisoners in one day.

— David Fischer, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of execute

Verb

SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell is among the first to use the option, pledging one share each to more than 2 million children’s accounts.

— Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
Millions of dollars have already been pledged to the program, including $5 million in community benefits funding as part of the Royals stadium deal following an initial $1 million city seed investment.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of pledge

Verb

Jim Woolery was a dealmaker at the white-shoe law firm Cravath before leaving to run M&A at JPMorgan.

— Ellen DiMauro, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
If a client’s business looks the same six months after an engagement ends, or if the gains fade the moment the vendor leaves, that was delivery.

— Vikas Verma, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of leave

Verb

But unlike other Floridians of Cuban descent — including Secretary of State Marco Rubio — Valdes ended up defending Cuba’s socialist revolutionaries and officials who have killed, jailed, tortured, and censored numerous political enemies.

— Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
The hanged man, John Morgan, had been jailed, tried for murder, and convicted, before escaping jail, getting apprehended, and being executed—all in ten days, Mellinger said.

— Oliver Whang, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of jail

Verb

After all, the brain evidently accomplishes this task far more efficiently than transformers do.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
Their fans should be more concerned with draft position than anything their teams might accomplish this season.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of accomplish

Verb

Saudi Arabia has vowed a firm response to the deadly attacks on the kingdom’s airports and oil and gas facilities by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

— Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 12 Oct. 2026
When Harmeet Dhillon took over as the new chief of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division last April, the conservative attorney vowed to radically reshape the storied unit and its mission.

— Ryan Lucas, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of vow

Verb

The twist is, the would-be brides and grooms must hand total control of their love lives to their families.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
One day earlier, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget granted $20 million to CBP before the money was handed to the advertising agency.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of hand

Verb

The revolution has been crushed, tens of thousands remain imprisoned, and economic hardship has broken the backs of Egyptians.

— Abdelrahman ElGendy, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
The Other Side of the Sun is based on the experiences of its director Sabouni, who was imprisoned there, as well as four other former inmates who survived.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of imprison

Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Synonyms of commit

verb

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