pledge
13 synonyms for pledge, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make a solemn promise to do something.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To make a solemn promise to do something.
“Each volunteer pledged to give two hours a week to the project.”
How to use pledge
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
make a pledge
pledge allegiance
pledge support
Etymology
From Old French plege, from Medieval Latin plevium, ultimately from a Frankish word meaning "to guarantee." Related to plight.
Full origin of pledge →Frequently asked questions
What does “pledge” mean?
The word “pledge” means to make a solemn promise to do something. In plain terms, a firm promise, or an item handed over as a guarantee that a promise or debt will be honoured.
How do you pronounce “pledge”?
“Pledge” is pronounced plehj (/plɛd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “pledge” in a sentence?
Here is “pledge” used in a sentence: “The charity pledged to double its donations this year.”
What part of speech is “pledge”?
Depending on how it is used, “pledge” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “pledge” come from?
The word “pledge” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French plege, from Medieval Latin plevium, ultimately from a Frankish word meaning "to guarantee." Related to plight.
Is “pledge” a common word?
“Pledge” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “pledge” have?
“Pledge” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make a solemn promise to do something.
What is the difference between a "pledge" and a "promise"?
A pledge is a solemn promise, so every pledge is a promise, but not every promise is a pledge. "Pledge" suggests something formal, serious, and often public — you promise to call a friend back, but you pledge allegiance or pledge money to a cause.
What is the difference between a "pledge", a "vow", and an "oath"?
All three are solemn promises, but they differ in setting. An oath is typically sworn formally, often in a legal or ceremonial context; a vow is a deeply personal solemn promise, as in marriage vows; and a pledge is a solemn commitment that is often public or financial, such as a pledge to donate.
