pledge synonyms

pledge

n.

guarantee, promise, token, pawn, earnest, hostage, security, collateral, surety, warrant, warranty, guaranty, gage, agreement, oath, word, word of honor, assurance, vow, solemn word, commitment, obligation, covenant, compact, contract, bail, bond, escrow; see also promise.

pledge, in this comparison, applies to anything given as security for the performance of an act or contract or for the payment of a debt he gave her a ring as a pledge; earnest applies to anything given or done as an indication, promise, or assurance of more to follow her early triumphs are an earnest of her success; token is used of anything serving or given as evidence of authority, genuineness, good faith, etc. this watch is a token of our gratitude; pawn now usually refers to an article left as security for the money lent on it by a pawnbroker; hostage is applied to a person handed over as a pledge for the fulfillment of certain terms or one seized and kept to force others to comply with demands

take the pledge

vow, swear off, go on the wagon; see promise 1.

pledge

v.

  1. To give security

    sign for, pawn, give bond; see guarantee 2.

  2. To promise

    swear, vow, vouch; see promise 1.

Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.