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 Students whose attendance zone placed them at Hallandale High will be assigned to Miramar High. — Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026 Rampersad was assigned to the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and served in Hawaii and Germany before being deployed to the Middle East. — Brittany Kriegstein, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026 The recordings were made while Flores was assigned to the unit responsible for conducting background investigations for job candidates in 2024, Hochman's office said. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026 This annual throwdown features 11 bands, each one assigned a sequential year from the 1980s and tasked with offering their takes on songs released in that year. — Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for assign

Recent Examples of Synonyms for assign

Verb

The militant group Hamas has reached an agreement with the Board of Peace – tasked with implementing a long term ceasefire plan in Gaza – to relinquish its weapons, a senior official told CNN on Friday.

— Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
This annual throwdown features 11 bands, each one assigned a sequential year from the 1980s and tasked with offering their takes on songs released in that year.

— Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of task

Verb

Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Atlanta’s top pick, Virginia outfielder AJ Gracia, agreed to sign for $3,997,500, much less than the $6,675,300 allotted for the ninth overall pick.

— Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
The House Administration Committee was allotted $10 billion in the House’s budget resolution for election law reforms, as the committee has oversight authority of federal elections.

— Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 27 July 2026

Definition of allot

Verb

Furthermore, Ashcraft has allowed home runs in four of his last five starts, ceding two, two and three homers in three of those starts.

— Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Even just the paper the texts were written on was unbelievably rare, but with time, shock ceded to reverence, then practicality.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 July 2026

Definition of cede

Verb

The decision by Luz Cázares, the fiscal adviser appointed by the county office, was backed by Gordon and Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team chief Michael Fine.

— Chaewon Chung Updated July 31, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Before Graves was appointed in December 2022, Deputy Chief Joseph Mabin served as interim chief for several months following former Chief Rick Smith’s unexpected retirement.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

Definition of appoint

Verb

It was enabled by those most entrusted to prevent it, acting in the belief that the cause required continuity.

— Michael Sonnenfeldt, Fortune, 19 July 2026
But a new watchdog memo raises serious questions about whether the private contractors entrusted with that work are adequately protecting taxpayer information.

— Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of entrust

Verb

For example, shifting the Fed’s portfolio toward short-term Treasury bills and away from long-term bonds or mortgage-back securities could reduce market price distortion and limit the government’s role in allocating capital across sectors.

— David Zhang, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Instead of deciding how to divide time between tutoring and food delivery—or resources between computers and automobiles—a nation must decide how to allocate its limited resources between consumer goods and capital goods.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of allocate

Verb

If this happens, the demand in launch capacity transferring from SpaceX might lead to more opportunities for companies such as Rocket Lab and RFA One, assuming more rockets are ready in time.

— Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Williams, a senior, was an all-conference point guard for Arizona and Iowa State before transferring to LSU this spring.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of transfer

Verb

Both Swayze and Leguizamo were nominated for Golden Globes for their performances, but neither of them won.

— Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026
Gosling, who was nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar for his role as Ken, is angling to raise his pay to $20 million.

— Angelique Jackson, Variety, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of nominate

Cite this Entry

Style

“Assign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assign. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of assign

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on assign

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

torpor

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes