Synonym Chooser

How is the word consign distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of consign are commit, confide, entrust, and relegate. While all these words mean "to assign to a person or place for a definite purpose," consign suggests removing from one's control with formality or finality.

consigned the damaging notes to the fire

When is it sensible to use commit instead of consign?

While the synonyms commit and consign are close in meaning, commit may express the general idea of delivering into another's charge or the special sense of transferring to a superior power or to a special place of custody.

committed the felon to prison

When could confide be used to replace consign?

While in some cases nearly identical to consign, confide implies entrusting with great assurance or reliance.

confided complete control of my affairs to my attorney

In what contexts can entrust take the place of consign?

The words entrust and consign are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, entrust implies committing with trust and confidence.

the president is entrusted with broad powers

When would relegate be a good substitute for consign?

The synonyms relegate and consign are sometimes interchangeable, but relegate implies a consigning to a particular class or sphere often with a suggestion of getting rid of.

relegated to an obscure position in the company

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 consign That seems to have been consigned to history, along with his all-too-brief stint in Lisbon. Liam Twomey, New York Times, 28 June 2025 The movie is too relevant to be consigned to a time capsule. Steve Dollar, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025 What the world needs now, many Burt Bacharach fans can agree, is for that deep catalog of songs to not be consigned to history. Chris Willman, Variety, 20 Mar. 2025 While Denmark were consigned to history as one of the great what-ifs, Hummel’s bold kit lives on as a coveted classic, adored by fans and designers alike. Peter Carline, New York Times, 6 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for consign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consign
Verb
  • Seven Milwaukee Common Council members and 37 members of the Wisconsin State Legislature sent letters of support.
    Maya Bell, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Fittingly, White would later send her to Italy to film a cameo in the season 2 White Lotus premiere alongside fellow contestant Angelina Keeley on the beach.
    Lauren Huff Published, EW.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Enzo Maresca’s ominous words in his press conference at Cobham on Thursday left little room to avoid the conclusion that Colwill had suffered a significant injury.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Where are opportunities left untouched simply due to a lack of capacity?
    Scott Brighton, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • After a sister who did not like football and a brother who took to Aston Villa and their Irish contingent, Lynch would be handed the Leeds fan baton.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 8 Aug. 2025
  • The issue is particularly of concern, Holtzblatt said, in areas, like Washington, D.C., where 20% service fees are increasingly part of bills being handed to consumers.
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Washington’s deadlock has created a tectonic shift transferring power — and the locus for activity — back to the regions.
    Russell Hancock, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Ruth, who was being treated for an eating disorder, was transferred to the location in October 2021, per the BBC.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Once done, the camera panned over to Kris, who gave a sassy smile before joining her girls.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • The recall was given a Class II risk warning on August 1.12 NuNaturals Inc recalled 78 bottles of its Organic Pure Stevia and 78 bottles of its Pure Monk Fruit Sweetener.
    Amber Brenza, Health, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • While the frontrunners battled it out, Dulcy Caylor quietly delivered a huge hit on beam, posting a massive 13.850, and Simone Rose continued a strong day on vault.
    Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025
  • SpaceX has spent more than six years delivering the satellites to orbit with a regular cadence of rocket launches from both Florida and California.
    Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The proposal suggests Musk won’t relinquish the CEO title in the near term.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2025
  • In May 2025, Kraft Heinz announced a strategic review aimed at unlocking shareholder value, and Berkshire Hathaway relinquished its board seats, signaling potential structural changes.
    Joe Cornell, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Verb
  • At Bournemouth, the club’s structure works in a particular way, where Iraola sees his role as coaching the team and preparing the players, but recruitment is delegated to Tiago Pinto, the club’s president of football operations, and technical director Simon Francis.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2025
  • This is the realm of managers and supervisors, not doing the work themselves, delegating, but with relatively short leashes to make sure people get done what they are asked to get done in the way they are asked to do them.
    George Bradt, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Consign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consign. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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