Comparisons Wiki

Commit vs. Promise: Difference and Comparison

Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 26, 2023
"Commit" means to pledge or bind oneself to a certain course of action, while "promise" is to assure someone that one will definitely do, give, or arrange something.
Commit vs. Promise

Difference Between Commit and Promise

"Commit" and "promise" both indicate a dedication to a certain course of action, but they operate on different levels. When one commits, they are dedicating themselves, often in a formal or official capacity, to a task or decision. For instance, a company might commit to a new project, signifying their dedication to see it through to completion. On the other hand, "commit" can also mean carrying out an act, especially when used in legal or negative contexts, such as committing a crime.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
"Promise", in contrast, is more personal and indicates giving one's word to someone. It's an assurance that one will or will not undertake a specific action in the future. Children might promise their parents to be home by a certain time, or a friend might promise another to keep a secret. The act of promising doesn't necessarily carry formal or legal obligations but is bound by personal integrity and trust.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
While "commit" is a declaration of intent and can be related to larger entities, organizations, or even actions, "promise" is usually between individuals and is based on trust. A promise is as strong as the trust between the parties involved. Commitments, on the other hand, can be backed by contracts, official documents, or other forms of official acknowledgment.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Both "commit" and "promise" are essential in everyday interactions and transactions. Being able to trust that someone will uphold their commitments or promises can make or break relationships, be they personal or professional. While both terms signify an obligation, the contexts and nuances of their use can vary significantly.
Lucas
Sep 26, 2023

Commit vs. Promise Comparison Chart

Definition

Pledge or bind oneself to an action or decision
Assure that one will or will not undertake a specific action
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023

Nature

Can be formal or official
Personal and based on trust
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023

Application

Can relate to entities, organizations, or actions
Usually between individuals
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023

Obligation

Can be bound by contracts or official documents
Bound by personal integrity and trust
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023

Contextual Nuance

Can mean carrying out an act, especially in legal contexts
Giving one's word on future actions
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023

Commit vs. Promise Definitions

Commit

To entrust or give in charge.
I commit this task to you, trusting you'll complete it.
Elijah
Sep 26, 2023

Promise

An obligation arising from the assurance given.
Breaking a promise can hurt trust.
Elijah
Sep 26, 2023

Commit

To do, perform, or perpetrate
commit a murder.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

To assure someone of something.
I promise I will return your book tomorrow.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023

Commit

To put in trust or charge; entrust
commit oneself to the care of a doctor.
commit responsibilities to an assistant.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

A declaration assuring that one will or will not do something.
She made a promise to help him.
William
Sep 26, 2023

Commit

To consign for future use or for preservation
We must commit the necessary funds for the project.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

An indication of future excellence or success.
The young athlete shows great promise.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023

Commit

To place officially in confinement or custody, as in a mental health facility.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

To betoken or foretell.
Dark clouds promise rain.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023

Commit

To put into a place to be disposed of or kept safe
committed the manuscript to the flames.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

A declaration assuring that one will or will not do something; a vow.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

To make known the views of (oneself) on an issue
I never commit myself on such issues.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

Something promised.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

To bind, obligate, or devote, as by a pledge
They were committed to follow orders. She committed herself to her art.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

Indication of something favorable to come; expectation
a promise of spring in the air.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

To refer (a legislative bill, for example) to a committee.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

Indication of future excellence or success
a player of great promise.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

To pledge, obligate, or devote one's own self
felt that he was too young to commit fully to marriage.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

To commit oneself by a promise to do or give; pledge
left but promised to return.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

(transitive) To give in trust; to put into charge or keeping; to entrust; to consign; used with to or formerly unto.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

To afford a basis for expecting
thunderclouds that promise rain.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

(transitive) To imprison: to forcibly place in a jail.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

To make a declaration assuring that something will or will not be done.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

(transitive) To forcibly evaluate and treat in a medical facility, particularly for presumed mental illness.
Tony should be committed to a nuthouse!
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

To afford a basis for expectation
an enterprise that promises well.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

(transitive) To do (something bad); to perpetrate, as a crime, sin, or fault.
to commit murder
to commit a series of heinous crimes
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

(countable) an oath or affirmation; a vow
if I make a promise, I always stick to it;
he broke his promise
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

(ambitransitive) To pledge or bind; to compromise, expose, or endanger by some decisive act or preliminary step. Traditionally used only reflexively but now also without oneself etc.
to commit oneself to a certain action
to commit to a relationship
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

(countable) A transaction between two persons whereby the first person undertakes in the future to render some service or gift to the second person or devotes something valuable now and here to his use.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

To make a set of changes permanent.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

(uncountable) Reason to expect improvement or success; potential.
She shows great promise as an actress.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

To integrate new revisions into the public or master version of a file in a version control system.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

A placeholder object representing the eventual result of an asynchronous operation.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

To enter into a contest; to match; often followed by with.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

bestowal or fulfillment of what is promised
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

To confound.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

(ambitransitive) To commit to (some action or outcome), or to assure (a person) of such commitment; to make an oath or vow.
If you promise not to tell anyone, I will let you have this cake for free.
She promised to never return to this town again.
He promised me a big kiss if I would drive him to the airport.
I can't promise success, but I'll do the best I can.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

To commit an offence; especially, to fornicate.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

(intransitive) To give grounds for expectation, especially of something good.
The clouds promise rain.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

To be committed or perpetrated; to take place; to occur.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

In general, a declaration, written or verbal, made by one person to another, which binds the person who makes it to do, or to forbear to do, a specified act; a declaration which gives to the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act.
For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

The act of committing (e.g. a database transaction), making it a permanent change; such a change.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

An engagement by one person to another, either in words or in writing, but properly not under seal, for the performance or nonperformance of some particular thing. The word promise is used to denote the mere engagement of a person, without regard to the consideration for it, or the corresponding duty of the party to whom it is made.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

(programming) The submission of source code or other material to a source control repository.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

That which causes hope, expectation, or assurance; especially, that which affords expectation of future distinction; as, a youth of great promise.
My native country was full of youthful promise.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

To give in trust; to put into charge or keeping; to intrust; to consign; - used with to, unto.
Commit thy way unto the Lord.
Bid him farewell, commit him to the grave.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

Bestowal, fulfillment, or grant of what is promised.
He . . . commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

To put in charge of a jailor; to imprison.
These two were committed.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

To engage to do, give, make, or to refrain from doing, giving, or making, or the like; to covenant; to engage; as, to promise a visit; to promise a cessation of hostilities; to promise the payment of money.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

To do; to perpetrate, as a crime, sin, or fault.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

To afford reason to expect; to cause hope or assurance of; as, the clouds promise rain.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

To join for a contest; to match; - followed by with.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

To make declaration of or give assurance of, as some benefit to be conferred; to pledge or engage to bestow; as, the proprietors promised large tracts of land; the city promised a reward.
I dare promise myself you will attest the truth of all I have advanced.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

To pledge or bind; to compromise, expose, or endanger by some decisive act or preliminary step; - often used reflexively; as, to commit one's self to a certain course.
You might have satisfied every duty of political friendship, without commiting the honor of your sovereign.
Any sudden assent to the proposal . . . might possibly be considered as committing the faith of the United States.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

To give assurance by a promise, or binding declaration.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

To confound.
Committing short and long [quantities].
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

To afford hopes or expectation; to give ground to expect good; rarely, to give reason to expect evil.
Will not the ladies be afeard of the lion?I fear it, I promise you.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

To sin; esp., to be incontinent.
Commit not with man's sworn spouse.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

perform an act, usually with a negative connotation;
perpetrate a crime
pull a bank robbery
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

grounds for feeling hopeful about the future;
there is little or no promise that he will recover
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause;
She committed herself to the work of God
give one's talents to a good cause
consecrate your life to the church
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

make a promise or commitment
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

cause to be admitted; of persons to an institution;
After the second episode, she had to be committed
he was committed to prison
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

promise to undertake or give;
I promise you my best effort
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

confer a trust upon;
The messenger was entrusted with the general's secret
I commit my soul to God
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

make a prediction about; tell in advance;
Call the outcome of an election
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

make an investment;
Put money into bonds
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Promise

give grounds for expectations;
The new results were promising
The results promised fame and glory
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Commit

To pledge oneself to a position or course of action.
She decided to commit to a healthier lifestyle.
Elijah
Sep 26, 2023

Commit

To bind formally or legally.
They commit to the terms outlined in the contract.
Kaitlyn
Sep 26, 2023

Commit

To carry out an act, often negative or legal.
The suspect was found to commit the crime.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023

Commit

To confine officially, as to a mental institution.
He was committed for psychiatric evaluation.
Levi
Sep 26, 2023

Commit vs. Promise Frequently Asked Questions

Can organizations make promises?

While organizations can assure or guarantee certain things, they often commit formally through contracts or agreements.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023

Is a promise legally binding?

A promise, on its own, is not legally binding unless it's part of a contract or formal agreement.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023

How does one uphold a promise?

Upholding a promise involves following through on the assurance or declaration one gave, based on trust and integrity.
Olivia
Sep 26, 2023

What does it mean to commit in a relationship?

To commit in a relationship means to dedicate oneself to the partnership, often implying exclusivity and long-term intent.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023

How is a commitment different from just agreeing?

While agreeing signifies alignment or concurrence, committing implies dedication and obligation to follow through.
Leo
Sep 26, 2023

Is committing to a task the same as promising to do it?

While both indicate an obligation, committing often carries a more formal connotation, whereas promising is based on personal assurance.
Kaitlyn
Sep 26, 2023

What are the consequences of not following through on a commitment?

Not honoring a commitment, especially if formal or official, can have legal repercussions or damage reputations and relationships.
Elijah
Sep 26, 2023

Can you commit without promising?

Yes, one can commit in an official or formal sense without making a personal promise.
Olivia
Sep 26, 2023

What happens when promises are broken frequently?

Frequently broken promises can erode trust and damage relationships.
Levi
Sep 26, 2023

What makes a promise credible?

The credibility of a promise rests on the trustworthiness and past actions of the person making the promise.
Henry
Sep 26, 2023

Content Creators

Written by
Muneeza Rehman
At Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma Batool
As a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.

Popular Comparisons

Trending Comparisons

New Comparisons