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 Dream committed 14 first-half turnovers and attempted just 19 shots to Golden State’s 40. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026 Recently, Bezos’ Earth Fund committed $100 million to a new environmental alliance looking to save endangered species from extinction. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 23 Oct. 2026 Politicians in every region are arguing that Israel is guilty of major human rights violations, with many claiming that the country has committed genocide. — Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026 Rodriguez Melendez also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. — News Desk, Artforum, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for commit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for commit

Verb

The high court found that the administration had not demonstrated that the president was authorized to use regular military forces to execute federal laws or that those forces were unable to carry out the mission.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Through it all, each member of the 11-person cast plays an instrument — or two or three or four — while toggling between characters, belting lyrics and executing Chi-San Howard’s enthralling choreography.

— Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of execute

Verb

Netanyahu’s main challenger, former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, opposes Palestinian statehood and has pledged to destroy Hamas’ military wing.

— Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Bolsonaro made a tough-on-crime approach the cornerstone of his campaign and pledged to bring down food costs while Lula, trying to lure undecided voters, has invested in costly incentives.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of pledge

Verb

One flight last week leaving from al-Qassim airport north of Riyadh to Geneva, sold for €94,000 ($105,000), compared with a price of about €60,000 ($67,000) before the closure of the main airport in Riyadh.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
This serving tray combines natural rattan with an elevated floral pattern filled with roses and autumn leaves atop a stainless steel base.

— Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of leave

Verb

Taylor, who reportedly bought his aristocratic title on the internet, was jailed for three years for selling a fake painting by the British artist Lowry through auction house Bonhams.

— Howard Walker, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2026
Other Americans, including some with serious illnesses, remain jailed in Russia.

— Dasha Litvinova, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of jail

Verb

But OpenAI also beefed up its own agents this year by launching its Codex coding app in February and ChatGPT Work agent in July for accomplishing multistep tasks like writing a brief or analysis.

— Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Think of what a lone honeybee or termite can accomplish compared to a colony of them.

— Noah Giansiracusa, Time, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of accomplish

Verb

The attack sparked outrage in Israel, with Netanyahu traveling to the attack site and vowing to respond forcefully.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
McElroy, who learned of the approval while vacationing in Italy, vowed to keep fighting and said the community had grown as new residents moved in.

— Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of vow

Verb

The claw would drop, close on a bear’s head and lift it, then either lose its grip or hand you something else.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Position grades were brutal, with F’s handed to the quarterback, running back and offensive line — Dak Prescott finished 34 of 54 for 258 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, and the backfield mustered just 41 rushing yards on 13 carries.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of hand

Verb

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Monday that 2,513 people had been taken into custody amid the recent protests, with 67 people imprisoned.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Otero Alcántara, who was released into exile three months ago after five years in prison, said he had been arrested several times before he was imprisoned in 2021.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of imprison

Cite this Entry

Style

“Commit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commit. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of commit

verb

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