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empenhar-se

[ẽ.pe.ˈɲa.sə]
verb
to commit oneself; to pledge; to strive; to endeavor
1. to make a firm commitment or promise to do something
She committed herself to finishing the project on time.
Ela se empenhou em terminar o projeto no prazo.
2. to pledge or mortgage something as collateral
He pledged his house as collateral for the loan.
Ele empenhou sua casa como garantia do empréstimo.
3. to make a determined effort; to strive hard
The team committed themselves to winning the championship.
O time se empenhou para ganhar o campeonato.
4. to dedicate oneself to a cause or goal
He dedicated himself to helping the poor.
Ele se empenhou em ajudar os pobres.
Synonyms
comprometer-sededicar-seesforçar-sedebruçar-sehipotecar
Antonyms
desistirabandonarnegligenciar

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
empenhar-se
standard usage across Brazil
São Paulo
empenhar-se
standard usage
Rio de Janeiro
empenhar-se
standard usage
Portugal
empenhar-se
standard usage, commonly used in formal contexts

Related Idioms & Phrases

empenhar-se de corpo e alma (to commit oneself body and soul)
empenhar-se até o fim (to see something through to the end)
empenhar-se em palavra (to pledge one's word)
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