Commitment — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /kə-ˈmit-mənt/ com·mit·ment

Meaning & Definition of Commitment

Commitment (noun)

  1. an agreement or pledge to do something in the future; especially, an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date
  2. something pledged
  3. a promise to be loyal to someone or something; specifically, the state of being in a serious usually long-term and monogamous emotional relationship

Commitment (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. adherence to something to which one is bound by a pledge or duty

    "his frequent absences made others question his commitment to the political campaign"

    similar: adhesion, allegiance, attachment, constancy, dedication, devotedness, devotion, faith, faithfulness, fastness, fealty, fidelity, loyalty, piety, steadfastness, troth
    related: affection, fondness, determination, firmness, resolution, dependability, reliability, trustability, trustiness, trustworthiness
    opposite: disloyalty, faithlessness, falseness, falsity, inconstancy, infidelity, perfidiousness, perfidy, treachery, unfaithfulness
    near: alienation, disaffection, estrangement, separation

  2. something one must do because of prior agreement

    "they made a commitment to pay the bill upon receipt of their order"

    similar: burden, charge, devoir, do (archaic), duty, imperative, incumbency, need, obligation, office, responsibility
    related: oath, pledge, promise, troth, vow, word, arrangement, prearrangement, setup, compact, contract, covenant, pact, trust, debt, payment, tribute, compulsion, constraint, restraint, must, requirement, coercion, duress, force, appointment, engagement, reservation, onus
    near: grace, postponement, stay, discharge, ease, exemption, release, relief, waiver, loophole, alternative, choice, option, pick, preference, selection

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Commitment

The most common words with a similar meaning to Commitment:

Archaic: do
adhesion, allegiance, attachment, constancy, dedication, devotedness, devotion, faith, faithfulness, fastness, fealty, fidelity, loyalty, piety, steadfastness, troth, burden, charge, devoir, duty, imperative, incumbency, need, obligation, office, responsibility

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Commitment

Words with the opposite meaning of Commitment:

disloyalty, faithlessness, falseness, falsity, inconstancy, infidelity, perfidiousness, perfidy, treachery, unfaithfulness

Related Words for Commitment

affection, fondness, determination, firmness, resolution, dependability, reliability, trustability, trustiness, trustworthiness, oath, pledge, promise, vow, word, arrangement, prearrangement, setup, compact, contract, covenant, pact, trust, debt, payment, tribute, compulsion, constraint, restraint, must

Near Antonyms of Commitment

alienation, disaffection, estrangement, separation, grace, postponement, stay, discharge, ease, exemption, release, relief, waiver, loophole, alternative, choice, option, pick, preference, selection

Origin & Etymology of Commitment

commit + -ment

First known use: 1579

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Commitment

Words & Phrases Containing Commitment

big commitment, financial commitment, precommitment

Frequently Asked Questions about Commitment

What does "Commitment" mean?

"Commitment" means an agreement or pledge to do something in the future; especially, an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date. As a noun, it is defined as: an agreement or pledge to do something in the future; especially, an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Commitment"?

Other words for "Commitment" include adhesion, allegiance, attachment, constancy, dedication, devotedness, devotion and faith. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Commitment" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Commitment"?

There are 65 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Commitment". Common alternatives include adhesion, allegiance, attachment, constancy, dedication, devotedness, devotion, faith, faithfulness and fastness.

What is the opposite of "Commitment"?

Antonyms of "Commitment" include disloyalty, faithlessness, falseness, falsity, inconstancy, infidelity, perfidiousness and perfidy. Near antonyms include alienation, disaffection, estrangement and separation.

How do you use "Commitment" in a sentence?

Examples of "Commitment" in a sentence: "his frequent absences made others question his commitment to the political campaign"; "they made a commitment to pay the bill upon receipt of their order".

Is "Commitment" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Commitment" is a noun.

Is "Commitment" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Commitment" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Commitment"?

"Commitment" is pronounced /kə-ˈmit-mənt/ and divided into syllables as com·mit·ment.