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
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Recent Examples of compartmentalize
This was a clear signal that Russia’s attempts to compartmentalize the Ukrainian war and to normalize ties in other areas had failed.
—
Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
With that, the trio of Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas come swaggering and smiling from the wings, strolling to the tip of a catwalk together, the professional differences that splintered their brotherly union for a spell neatly compartmentalized for 2 ½-hours of polished pop digested by adoring fans.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
The way to do it is to separate and compartmentalize.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
Use separate emails for different purposes One smart way to limit scam exposure is by compartmentalizing your digital life.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for compartmentalize
Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
With that, the trio of Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas come swaggering and smiling from the wings, strolling to the tip of a catwalk together, the professional differences that splintered their brotherly union for a spell neatly compartmentalized for 2 ½-hours of polished pop digested by adoring fans.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
The way to do it is to separate and compartmentalize.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
Use separate emails for different purposes One smart way to limit scam exposure is by compartmentalizing your digital life.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for compartmentalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compartmentalize
Verb
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What Happens Next FDA inspectors will classify the recall one of three hazard levels, from the lowest risk, Class III, to the highest, Class I.—
News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
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Dividing her time between London and Los Angeles, Porras-Kim has historically examined the methods institutions use to classify, conserve, and interpret items in their collections, focusing on objects and forms of knowledge that have been separated from their original contexts.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Here are the 10 deadliest missiles on the planet as of 2025, ranked by reach, firepower, and technological edge.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
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Some, like Cisco, ranked fifth on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For – Europe list, are instead trying to use the technology to unlock employee potential—and give them back their time.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Instead, it was relegated to yet another anticlimactic episode of What Might Have Been.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
11 Oct. 2025
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No mention is made of a time frame or what would happen in the worst-case scenario of Forest, currently 17th in the 20-team table, being relegated from England’s top division this season or in the near future.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This figure does not distinguish between combatants and civilians and is disputed by Israeli officials, but is widely cited by Western sources.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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Dean and distinguished professor for the school of management and labor relations at Rutgers University Mark Anner defined the wage gap as the difference between the prevailing wage (what workers actually get) and what they should be paid (the living wage).—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List categorized the bearded vulture in 2014 as near threatened.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN Money,
10 Oct. 2025
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Gasoline is categorized by octane ratings at gas stations.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compartmentalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compartmentalize. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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