commit

To do something wrong or illegal.

• He committed a crime.
• The police believe she committed fraud.
• Did anyone see who committed the attack?

Similar words: perpetrate

Common phrases: commit a crime, commit murder, commit fraud

To promise to do something or agree to give it your time and effort.

• I cannot commit to another project.
• She committed herself to helping the children.
• Will you commit enough time to finish this?

How to use it: commit to doing something (We committed to reducing waste.); commit someone to something (The agreement commits us to the project.); commit something to something (They committed more money to the research.)

Similar words: pledge, undertake

Common phrases: commit to something, commit yourself, commit resources

To put words or ideas into writing or learn them so you can remember them.

• He committed the poem to memory.
• I finally committed my ideas to paper.
• Have you committed these instructions to writing?

How to use it: commit something to memory/paper (She committed the address to memory.)

Similar words: record, memorize

Common phrases: commit to memory, commit to paper

To officially send someone to an institution or legal process, often without their agreement.

• The judge committed him to prison.
• She was committed to a secure hospital.
• The court committed both suspects for trial.

How to use it: commit someone to something (The judge committed him to prison.); commit someone for trial (The court committed her for trial.)

Similar words: confine

Opposites: release

Common phrases: commit someone, commit for trial, commit a patient

To give someone or something into another person's care or keeping.

• They committed the documents to his keeping.
• She committed her children to her sister's care.
• The dying man committed his soul to God.

How to use it: commit someone/something to someone's care (They committed the child to her grandmother's care.)

Similar words: entrust, consign

Common phrases: commit to someone, commit to care