verb

commit

to perpetrate, to dedicate, to pledge, to institutionalize

He committed a serious crime.

He committed a serious crime.

She committed herself to her new job.

She committed herself to her new job.

The company committed a lot of money to the project.

The company committed a lot of money to the project.

((sth.)) to do (sth.) illegal or wrong He committed a serious crime.

((oneself)) ((to sth./-ing)) to dedicate oneself to (sth.) She committed herself to her new job.

((sth.)) ((to sth.)) to pledge or allocate (sth.) to (sth.) The company committed money to the project.

Synonyms: perpetrate, dedicate, pledge; Antonyms: abstain, refrain

From Latin 'com-' (together) + 'mittere' (to send). Literally 'to send together', it evolved to mean 'to entrust', and then to 'perpetrate an act' or 'pledge oneself'.

Think of 'committing' as 'sending' ('mit') yourself 'with' ('com-') a cause or action, from which you cannot easily withdraw.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.