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 But a healthy, wholesome chat turns into something else when their tipsy stroll leads them to the home of Ed Little, the man with the power to consign Charlie’s failure to obscurity. Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025 Apart from long term archiving applications, hard drives are largely consigned to the past. Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 Reddit/u/Frasnet Slinky could so easily have fallen between the cracks and ended up being consigned to a future stuck waiting in the shelter for a family that never comes. Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025 Production of the street-legal iteration yielded 1,350 examples, and the one set to cross the auction block through Broad Arrow—consigned by the original owner—was specified for Italy and is pristine, with only 33 miles on it (at the time of cataloging). Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for consign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consign
Verb
  • Every version of the recent Blue Jays sent to October has held a different supporting cast.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The organization also consults school district websites and letters sent to school districts and corresponds with librarians, authors and teachers.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In analyzing dozens of hours of audio and video footage of public and private speaking events for McMahon’s appointees, as well as their writings, ProPublica found that a recurring theme is the desire to enable more families to leave public schools.
    Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Varying injuries suffered by Richard Fitts, Hunter Dobbins, Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck leave several starters in flux entering the offseason, while rookies Connelly Early and Payton Tolle pitched well at the end of the season.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • His 1-0, two-out fastball to Hernández, though, ended up in the right-field stands, handing the Dodgers their first lead.
    Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Individual disposable towels and/or hand drying device not provided at lavatory or hand sink.
    Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Using tongs, transfer chicken to serving platter and tent with aluminum foil.
    CAROLE KOTKIN, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
  • There is a medium security facility right next to the lower security venue that Combs wants to be transferred to.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • At AbbVie, 92% of employees give extra effort at work compared to just 59% of employees at a typical European workplace.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Processing extras’ job bookings has helped give Everyset a window in to where work is now, as Hollywood grapples with major studios cutting the number of annual big theatrical bets and shortening TV episode orders from the Peak TV days of just a few years ago.
    Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • McKinstry delivered in the fifth inning, hitting a homer and tying the game 2-2.
    Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Jones delivered with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Warren that marked the first receiving TD of his career.
    James Boyd, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Liberation lies in relinquishing projection, in surrendering the desire for children to mirror our priorities and accomplishments.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
  • For decades after that, most parents who relinquished infants for adoption did not expect to see or hear from those children again.
    Nicole Chung, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • May is the time to invest wisely, delegate responsibly, and set the foundations of your kingdom.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
  • With the growth of front offices, most teams have assistant general managers and other high-ranking executives participate in trade talks, either to leverage specific relationships or as a way to delegate and streamline the work.
    Brittany Ghiroli, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Consign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consign. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

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