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 At a moment of grave uncertainty, one thing is not in doubt: Even though a period of chaos may follow a collapse of the regime, the 90 million people of Iran deserve better than the theocratic prison they've been consigned to since 1979. Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025 That was apparently enough to consign Hernández Romero indefinitely to a black hole. Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2025 Microsoft’s campaign to urge some 240 million PC owners to recycle their devices or consign them to landfill continues. Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025 Consider the refugees consigned by the United States to Latin America, by the European Union to Turkey and Pakistan, or by Australia to the island of Nauru. Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for consign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consign
Verb
  • Two days after the letter was sent, Abbott announced 18 items on the special session agenda.
    Rachel Royster July 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2025
  • Corinth, the wrangler of volunteers, spent evenings recruiting people from Facebook to help the next day or coordinating with Starbucks and H-E-B, which both sent teams.
    Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • The serum leaves your scalp nourished and your hair frizz-free and shiny after each use.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 July 2025
  • Emeline stands out as a true boutique property that will allow guests to immerse themselves in the Charleston way of living without leaving their accommodation.
    Emma Kershaw, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Foxx has centered her criticism on establishment Democrats circling the wagons for establishment candidates, noting that three senior Democratic members of Congress died within the first six months of Trump’s second term, handing Republicans a larger advantage.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • The Supreme Court has handed Trump one victory after another in his effort to remake the federal government, after lower courts have found the administration’s actions probably violate federal law.
    Mark Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Griner was transferred to a Russian penal colony roughly 300 miles outside of Moscow after being sentenced to nine years in prison.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2025
  • More than 1,800 files were transferred after Gong had already accepted a position with one of the company's competitors.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Despite cloudy skies and a smattering of light rain, the scene on the last Saturday morning in July at the reconstructed South Shore beach gave a strong indication of what's to come.
    Rose Androwich, jsonline.com, 27 July 2025
  • His cameo in Rocky III gave wrestling mainstream attention, along with his cartoon called Hulk Hogan’s Rock 'n’ Wrestling, which was broadcast on Saturday mornings in the mid-1980s.
    Mark LaSota, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
Verb
  • Trump had sought to deliver peace by soothing U.S. relations with Russia and distancing Washington from Ukraine, but now sees himself as misled by Putin.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
  • This casual outpost delivers exactly what its setting promises: pizza, salads, burgers and baskets of onion rings, chicken wings and fish and chips.
    Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • This often dampens enthusiasm, and indeed, the stock relinquished some of its gains in after-hours trading.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • The residence was purchased in the 1970s for just $900,000 by the late radio concert promoter and radio station magnate Ken Roberts, who wound up relinquishing it to the financial services firm New Stream Capital in 2010 to settle a $27.5 million legal claim.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Likewise, planning cannot be delegated to futurists and technical experts sent to a far-off bunker to spend months crafting detailed plans in isolation.
    MATAN CHOREV, Foreign Affairs, 22 July 2025
  • This approach can make a grand vision feel less overwhelming and easier to delegate to specific people or departments in the organization.
    Nick Leighton, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Consign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consign. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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