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commute

kuh-MYOOT /kəˈmjuːt/

verbB2GRESATTOEFLIELTS

legalgeneral

To reduce a judicial sentence to one less severe, or to travel regularly between home and work.

In legal contexts, commuting a sentence lowers the penalty (e.g., death penalty to life) without wiping out the conviction.

The story behind the word. From Latin 'commutare' (to change entirely or exchange), combining 'com-' (thoroughly) and 'mutare' (to change). In 19th-century rail systems, people who paid a single changed/exchanged rate (commutation ticket) to travel daily became known as 'commuters'.

Word relationships

reduce: General verb; 'commute' is the precise legal term for changing a judicial penalty.
mitigate: 'Mitigate' means to make less harsh/severe overall; 'commute' specifically exchanges one legal penalty for a lighter one.

increase: To make greater in size or severity.
impose: To officially enforce a full sentence.

Commonly confused with

pardon: A pardon forgives the crime and clears records; commuting only shortens/reduces the punishment.

Word family

commutation (noun): The reduction of a judicial sentence.
commuter (noun): A person who travels back and forth to work.

Collocations

commute a sentence
commute to work
power to commute

Example sentences

"The governor decided to commute the prisoner's death sentence to life imprisonment." Executive News
"He had to commute an hour by train every morning to reach his office." Daily Life

Memory hook

COM-MUTE -> MUTATE (change) a harsh sentence into a lighter sentence. MUTATE the sentence lower.

When not to use

Do not confuse commuting a sentence with an exoneration or full pardon; commuting changes the penalty, not the guilt.

Fun facts

Daily transit 'commuters' get their name from legal 'commutation' because early train riders exchanged a single lump sum for a discounted ticket!