ASSIGN Synonyms: 146 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

assign

verb

ə-ˈsīn

Definition of assign

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

Relevance

as in to allot

to give as a share or portion each new employee is assigned a cubicle and a computer

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to cede

to give over the legal possession or ownership of assigned all rights to and royalties from the song to the Boy Scouts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

expropriate

as in to appoint

to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty the mayor assigned the panel with the task of luring a major sports franchise to the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Delta Air Lines, which accounts for a sliver of flights at CLT, told the Observer airports ultimately decide how gates are assigned, but airlines need dependable access to serve customers, and airports need flexibility to respond to changing demand. — Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2026 In the study, Malone's team recruited 196 people aged between 21 and 64 years, who were randomly assigned either an eight-week lifestyle program (control) or this plan, as well as a sleep-coaching component. — New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2026 Where Texas law assigns an immigration or border security responsibility to a sheriff, the comptroller or DPS [Department of Public Safety], the incoming official inherits that responsibility. — Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2026 Inspired by his relatives, Wilhelmi joined the Navy at age 20 and was assigned to the USS Enterprise shortly after it was commissioned. — Kelly Werthmann, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assign

Recent Examples of Synonyms for assign

Verb

These people have been tasked with selecting new judges and election officials by the end of the year, according to a recent briefing.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2026
Indelman, a veteran collaborator with New York restaurateurs like Andrew Tarlow and Gabe Stulman, was tasked with giving the space a utilitarian, high-tech ambience.

— Ingrid Abramovitch, Architectural Digest, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of task

Verb

As mayor, Raman will oversee the city’s transportation department and will have the power to appoint new members to the city’s Airport Commission.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
And many of those were initially appointed to the board by Johnson, who stridently supported Dominguez for president.

— David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of appoint

Verb

The cost of a banking crisis For Paraguay, the immediate challenge is restoring access to savings and payments for customers who entrusted their money to Ueno.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026
The alleged conduct of a senior solider, entrusted with sensitive information, is a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of entrust

Verb

The operation is aimed at allocating more federal law enforcement resources to Deep Ellum, working side by side with state and local partners to create a direct line to Dallas PD for Deep Ellum crimes, Raybould said.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Nov. 2026
Variable universal life allows the policyholder to allocate cash value among investment options and therefore involves greater market risk.

— Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of allocate

Verb

Bai and Ho are both nominated for Best New Performer at this year’s Golden Horse Awards, while the remaining four talents were all nominated last year, with Ma winning in the category.

— Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2026
President Joe Biden nominated Colom, a district attorney in northeast Mississippi, to the federal bench in 2022, and Mississippi’s other Republican senator, Roger Wicker, supported him.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of nominate

Cite this Entry

Style

“Assign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assign. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of assign

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