Antonyms for engage


Grammar : Verb
Spell : en-geyj
Phonetic Transcription : ɛnˈgeɪdʒ


Definition of engage

Origin :
  • early 15c., "to pledge," from Middle French engagier, from Old French en gage "under pledge," from en "make" + gage "pledge," through Frankish from Proto-Germanic *wadiare "pledge" (see wed).
  • It shows the common evolution of Germanic -w- to French -g-; cf. Guillaume from Wilhelm). Meaning "attract the attention of" is from 1640s; that of "employ" is from 1640s, from notion of "binding as by a pledge." Specific sense of "promise to marry" is 1610s (implied in engaged).
  • verb hire for job, use
  • verb occupy oneself; engross
  • verb promise to marry
  • verb start a fight; attack
  • verb interconnect; bring into operation
Example sentences :
  • Your aunt has been forced to engage not to interfere but by your father's direction.
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • He solicits me, 'To engage my honour to him never to have Mr. Solmes.'
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • I offered to engage not to marry at all, if that condition may be accepted.
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • Will you engage, my dear, that the hated man shall not come near your house?
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • I beg you will encourage the militia and engage them to continue their exertions.
  • Extract from : « A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis Marion » by William Dobein James
  • Any one with brains can get rich in this country if he will engage the right lawyer.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • The winning of a battle is not enough to engage all our admiration; it must be won by an artist.
  • Extract from : « The Man Shakespeare » by Frank Harris
  • But it is futile to engage in the controversies of the past.
  • Extract from : « The Story of the Malakand Field Force » by Sir Winston S. Churchill
  • If he was shaved to-morrow, I'd engage you'd see it fast enough.
  • Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 4 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth
  • We were a long bit ahead of her, and did not engage for some time.
  • Extract from : « Ned Myers » by James Fenimore Cooper

Synonyms for engage

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019