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 Waldorf’s job, treating critical patients in the intensive care unit, had taught her to compartmentalize, to stay cool under pressure. — Kavitha Surana, CNN Money, 28 May 2026 Waldorf’s job, treating critical patients in the intensive care unit, had taught her to compartmentalize, to stay cool under pressure. — Kavitha Surana, ProPublica, 26 May 2026 While some working Americans find relief in a work routine, others struggle to compartmentalize their grief. — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 14 June 2026 Fans could be seen dressing for the elements as well, choosing rugged materials like leather or cargo pants to compartmentalize belongings for the weekend. — John Monaco, InStyle, 9 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
  • The Education Department initially classified only 11 fields as professional, leaving out areas including nursing, physical therapy and education.
    — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Devine told me that e-bike and moped marketing is confusing and regulations keeping e-bikes safely classified are cloudy.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of classify
Verb
  • That project, called Aviano, now ranks among nine developments across Antioch, Oakley, Martinez, Pinole and Pleasant Hill that federal prosecutors appear to be targeting in their latest investigation into the assessor’s office, the subpoenas show.
    — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • Some winners have consistently ranked in the awards for more than two decades; others are catching your attention for the first time.
    — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of rank
Verb
  • Girona were relegated but Ounahi stood out as one of the better midfielders in Spain.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • Using this approach, the SynMax system, called Theia, enables AI to perform tasks previously relegated to intelligence analysts.
    — Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of relegate
Verb
  • Weather became a way to distinguish Elle from those around her in Seattle.
    — Angelina Mazza, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Kelce spotlighting Swift’s intelligence A true golden retriever boyfriend distinguishes himself by appreciating his partner’s smarts.
    — Emma Specter, Vogue, 2 July 2026
Definition of distinguish
Verb
  • Countrywide, wine, beer, spirits and other newer forms of alcohol are categorized according to beverage type and are taxed often regardless of actual alcohol content or other states’ policies.
    — Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • The study also categorized unemployment claims by age and found that a significant portion of claims were from those aged 36 to 65, signaling that AI’s effect doesn’t only affect early-career jobs.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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