compartmentalize

verb

kəm-ˌpärt-ˈmen-tə-ˌlīz How to pronounce compartmentalize (audio)
Definition of compartmentalizenext
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type we shouldn't compartmentalize the students into such restrictive categories as scholar and athlete, which are not mutually exclusive

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of compartmentalize And even though Skubal excels at compartmentalizing, Roberts had one request for the Tigers. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 He’s often reflected on his pitfalls and tried to compartmentalize his thoughts on a potential solution. — Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026 In fact, many trees successfully compartmentalize decay and continue to thrive for decades. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 8 Aug. 2026 Sinner melting in the French heat can be largely compartmentalized as another case of his struggles in such conditions. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for compartmentalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compartmentalize
  1. classify
  2. rank
  3. relegate
  4. distinguish
  5. categorize
Verb
  • In an April 2026 live-fire exercise at Fort Hood, Texas, the Army demonstrated an autonomous sensor on one platform that detected and classified a hostile drone, then passed data and an engagement command to a weapon system on another platform.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Trump also classified Brazil’s biggest drug-trafficking groups as foreign terrorist organizations shortly after receiving Bolsonaro at the White House — a move Lula’s administration opposed as a pretext for intervention.
    — Eléonore Hughes, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of classify
Verb
  • About 3 in 5 Idaho adults live in households with guns, which ranks among the highest rates nationally, according to an estimate from the RAND Gun Policy in America initiative.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Here’s a closer look at where those marks rank in UM history.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of rank
Verb
  • Garver struggled offensively in Seattle compared with his time in Texas and was relegated to a backup role behind catcher Cal Raleigh.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Instead, he’s often relegated to the role of good-faith interlocutor, trying his best to get to the truth of who Holmes and Evans are, the nature of their relationship, and their motivations for participating in this project.
    — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of relegate
Verb
  • The interplay of precious metals with rubber and leather reinforces the brand’s more casual sensibility, distinguishing it from more formal men’s jewelry offerings.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Some of these cocktail bars in Milan are part of larger operations with restaurants; others distinguish themselves independently.
    — Jaclyn DeGiorgio, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of distinguish
Verb
  • With this much space, the entire region can’t be categorized in any one specific way—except with the word dramatic.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Images get treated and categorized one way; PDFs another; text notes another.
    — David Pierce, The Verge, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of categorize

Browse Nearby Words

compartment
compartmentalize
compartmentalized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Compartmentalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compartmentalize. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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