assign

1
as in to task
to give a task, duty, or responsibility to assigned the class with the task of finding something in the state constitution they felt needed changing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word assign different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of assign are ascribe, attribute, credit, and impute. While all these words mean "to lay something to the account of a person or thing," assign implies ascribing with certainty or after deliberation.

assigned the bones to the Cretaceous period

In what contexts can ascribe take the place of assign?

The synonyms ascribe and assign are sometimes interchangeable, but ascribe suggests an inferring or conjecturing of cause, quality, authorship.

forged paintings formerly ascribed to masters

How is attribute related to other words for assign?

Attribute suggests less tentativeness than ascribe, less definiteness than assign.

attributed to Rembrandt but possibly done by an associate

Where would credit be a reasonable alternative to assign?

In some situations, the words credit and assign are roughly equivalent. However, credit implies ascribing a thing or especially an action to a person or other thing as its agent, source, or explanation.

credited his teammates for his success

When is it sensible to use impute instead of assign?

While in some cases nearly identical to assign, impute suggests ascribing something that brings discredit by way of accusation or blame.

tried to impute sinister motives to my actions

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 assign Two former DeSantis staffers who worked for Ballard were assigned to help ARS in that effort. Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 July 2025 Sacramento homicide detectives and department internal affairs and professional standards investigators were assigned to the incident. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 28 July 2025 The fire was 13% contained with 1,048 people assigned to fight the fire, according to the southwest team. Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 28 July 2025 Futures market data shows that investors now assign a 93.3% probability that the Fed will keep rates unchanged at its July meeting. CNBC, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for assign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assign
Verb
  • More key members of the team tasked with bringing the East Bank development to life have been selected, and a construction timeline is emerging.
    Molly Davis, The Tennessean, 25 July 2025
  • The Office of Special Counsel is tasked with protecting federal whistleblowers and pursuing violations of the Hatch Act, which prevents appointees from using their office for political purposes.
    David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Most schools are allotting about 75 percent of that to football.
    Antonio Morales, New York Times, 31 July 2025
  • Connor dealt with injuries throughout the majority of his college career, but a redshirt year and COVID-19 campaign allotted him six seasons.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
Verb
  • Last July, Piastri claimed his maiden victory after McLaren told Norris, who had gained the lead via an undercut, to cede position on Lap 68.
    Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 31 July 2025
  • The federal government has ceded its leadership on climate and clean energy, but America doesn’t have to.
    Mindy Lubber, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • Former politicians in Nevada and Florida have been appointed to lead public universities instead of academics – in the Sunshine State, five of the seven public universities are led by former lawmakers, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
    Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Kentucky Opera has appointed Peggy Kriha Miller as Interim General Director and CEO.
    Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • Floridians have a right to know their leaders aren’t selling the power entrusted in them to the highest bidder.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 July 2025
  • Camp Mystic, a girls' summer camp nestled in the Hill Country, lost dozens of its campers in the surge, along with staff members who died trying to save the girls entrusted to their care.
    Theresa Payton, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • His Tribute Collection allocated part of its profits to support communities in the Middle East, North Africa, and India, long before ethical fashion became a buzzword.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2025
  • As of 2024, 46% of organizations surveyed are allocating work time for open-source software development.
    Ismail Amla, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • According to Visa and Artemis, over $35 trillion in stablecoins were transferred in the last 12 months, more than Visa and Mastercard combined.
    Kjartan Rist, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • If someone is affected by heat, immediately transfer them to a cool and shaded area.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The feature marks her directorial follow-up to 2023 romantic comedy Rye Lane, which earned two British Independent Film Awards and was nominated at the BAFTA Awards.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Gaga is also nominated for Artist of the Year, while her latest LP, Mayhem, is up for Album of the Year.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Assign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assign. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.

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