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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 For years, Heat players have been assigned to one particular assistant for their workouts and development. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026 This means that there’s a simple way to assign a different complex number to every point on the sphere. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 24 Sep. 2026 At work, if there’s a bean recipe to assign, everyone turns to point at yours truly. — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Sep. 2026 She’ll be assigned to the Lightning’s minor league affiliate, the new Atlanta Knights. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assign

Recent Examples of Synonyms for assign

Verb

Forty-four prospective candidates have submitted applications to become the next permanent superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, according to the city agency tasked with vetting those bids.

— Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 29 Sep. 2026
Mansouri, who until her nomination also was the mayor of Marrakech, was tasked with forming a new government, the Royal Palace said in a statement.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of task

Verb

That war of wills ended with the Emirates ceding control of Bab el-Mandeb — along with the nearby island of Perim, where the Emirates had built a drone airbase — to Saudi Arabia.

— Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
The reality, however, appears to be that Isaacman does not want to cede any more time in this race and is thus pushing for as many cargo and crew missions as possible to the Moon as soon as possible.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of cede

Verb

Bolsonaro supporters have since portrayed Moraes as an ally of Lula, although he was not appointed by Lula and does not belong to his party.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
Castro, at the time, was vice chair of the group’s development, code compliance and redevelopment committee, and was recently appointed as the committee’s 2026-27 chair.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of appoint

Verb

Each year, Congress passes laws which allocate money to the federal government's various programs and agencies.

— Eric McDaniel, NPR, 28 Sep. 2026
Interim peace accords in the 1990s recognized their water rights but preserved a system that allocated some 80% of water pumped from the main aquifer for Israeli use.

— Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of allocate

Verb

According to court records, the money obtained was allegedly transferred to various individuals and businesses, primarily Annas 4 Contracting, LLC, and New Life Painters, LLC.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
This is also the first congressional election cycle since George Soros transferred control of his political operation to Alex in 2023.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of transfer

Cite this Entry

Style

“Assign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assign. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of assign

verb

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