pigeonhole 1 of 2

verb

Definition of pigeonholenext
as in to categorize
disapproving to unfairly think of or describe (someone or something) as belonging to only a certain category She likes to perform different types of music because she doesn't want to be pigeonholed.

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Dissimilar Words

pigeonhole

2 of 2

noun

as in cubbyhole

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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 pigeonhole
Verb
Conversations are cut down, some couples are poised to be the favorites, while other contestants get pigeonholed as the villains. — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 1 June 2026 That way, you’re not pigeonholed into redeeming your rewards exclusively through Delta. — Sarah Hostetler, CNBC, 5 June 2026
Noun
Dover is a company made up of a portfolio of different end markets and should not be held to a data center pigeonhole. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025 And to his credit, Leitch escapes that pigeonhole … only to get trapped in another. — Will Leitch, Vulture, 8 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pigeonhole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pigeonhole
  1. categorize
  2. cubbyhole
  3. classify
  4. cubicle
  5. relegate
  6. compartment
  7. identify
  8. niche
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
Noun
  • During the decades with Cox at the helm of the Braves, the smell of cigar smoke became familiar, wafting from the home dugout on early afternoons at old Fulton County Stadium or from a cubbyhole next to the home dugout at Turner Field.
    — David O'Brien, New York Times, 9 May 2026
  • How sweet the letters from Gita had been, arriving in his grad-school cubbyhole at Brooklyn Poly!
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of cubbyhole
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
Noun
  • In fact, decorating your cubicle versus your laptop screen, might just be the way to move your career forward.
    — Colleen Batchelder, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Couches and chairs replace cubicles and sales offices.
    — Michael Wayland, CNBC, 17 June 2026
Definition of cubicle
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
Noun
  • Inside, the spacious main compartment easily held a heavy travel wallet, an oversized scarf, a water bottle, and my headphones with plenty of room to spare.
    — Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 July 2026
  • Use the front and back slip pockets to stay organized, along with the roomy zip compartment.
    — Sarah Scott, Southern Living, 3 July 2026
Definition of compartment
Verb
  • Hiltz competes in women’s events, but identifies as non-binary and transgender, using they/them pronouns.
    — Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Othram has said Idaho State Police Forensic Services, Moscow police and the FBI teamed with the company to help identify Bryan Kohberger as the suspect.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of identify
Noun
  • Since its inception, social media has been a proving ground for tween fashion and identity, offering under-16s a digital canvas to experiment with their style and form online cliques around niche interests.
    — Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 2 July 2026
  • Brown noted that the residents have a deep mistrust of the Commission, which is a relatively niche commission appointed by the mayor and City-County Council.
    — Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026
Definition of niche

Browse Nearby Words

pigeon
pigeonhole
pigeonholed
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Cite this Entry

“Pigeonhole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pigeonhole. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pigeonhole

Nglish: Translation of pigeonhole for Spanish Speakers

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