commit
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for commit, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To carry out a crime, mistake, or wrongdoing.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use commit
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin committere ("to bring together, entrust"), from com- + mittere ("to send") — related to "mission."
Full origin of commit →Frequently asked questions
What does “commit” mean?
The word “commit” means to carry out a crime, mistake, or wrongdoing. In plain terms, to carry out an act (especially wrongdoing), to pledge yourself to something, or to save changes permanently.
How do you pronounce “commit”?
“Commit” is pronounced kuh-MIHT (/kəˈmɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “commit” in a sentence?
Here is “commit” used in a sentence: “He was arrested for committing fraud.”
What part of speech is “commit”?
“Commit” is a verb.
Where does the word “commit” come from?
The word “commit” comes from Latin. From Latin committere ("to bring together, entrust"), from com- + mittere ("to send") — related to "mission.".
Is “commit” a common word?
“Commit” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “commit” have?
“Commit” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to carry out a crime, mistake, or wrongdoing.
What is the difference between "commit" and "commit to"?
Without "to," "commit" usually means to carry out something wrong, as in "commit a crime" or "commit an error." With "to," as in "commit to a plan," it means to pledge or bind yourself to a course of action.
Which preposition is used with "commit" when making a pledge?
When "commit" means to pledge or dedicate yourself, it is followed by "to," as in "commit to a project" or "commit to someone." You commit yourself to a goal, not "commit for" or "commit on" it.
What is the difference between "commit" and "dedicate"?
"Commit" means to bind or pledge yourself to a course of action, often as a firm decision. "Dedicate" is close in meaning but places more emphasis on devoting time, effort, or resources wholeheartedly to a cause.
Why do we say "commit a crime" rather than "make a crime"?
In English, "commit" is the standard verb paired with wrongdoing such as a crime or offence, so we say "commit a crime." "Make a crime" is not idiomatic; "make" collocates with words like "mistake" instead.