Synonyms for promise
- noun
- verb
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Pledge
pledge, vow, commitment, word, assurance, oath, engagement, parole
Verb
1. Anticipate
call, anticipate, predict, foretell, bode, prognosticate, forebode rare
Definitions
- n. 1
An oath or affirmation; a vow.
When I make a promise, I always stick to it.
- v. 1
To commit to (some action or outcome), or to assure (a person) of such commitment; to make an oath or vow.
She promised to never return to this town again.
Related words
Choose the right word
All these words involve at least two parties, tho an engagement or promise may be the act of but one.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- commitment Tom made a commitment to cooperate with a company.
- pledge Five is too young to pledge allegiance to a flag.
- assurance For quality assurance, this call may be recorded.
- vow I am thou, thou art I. Thou hast acquired a new vow.
- hope I hope he'll be able to come! I'd like to see him.
- faith All the members but me have faith in what he says.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| promise | rising | |
| commitment | rising | |
| pledge | falling | |
| assurance | falling | |
| vow | rising | |
| hope | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- vow1
- 4 letters
- call1, hope1, word1, pass1, oath1, bode1
- 5 letters
- agree2, faith1, delay2, vouch1, troth1
- 6 letters
- engage2, assure2, pledge1, parole2, plight1
- 7 letters
- predict2, bargain2
- 8 letters
- prospect2, deferred2, foretell2, forebode2
- 9 letters
- assurance3, undertake3, stipulate3
- 10 letters
- commitment3, engagement3, anticipate4
- 13 letters
- prognosticate4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (agree2 = 2 syllables).