Synonyms of assign

assign

verb

ə-ˈsīn 

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

• task
• entrust
• charge
• trust
• impose
• intrust
• confer
• allocate
• recommend
• delegate
• commission
• commit
• authorize
• relegate
• confide
• empower
• consign
• allot
• invest
• repose

2

as in to allot

to give as a share or portion

each new employee is assigned a cubicle and a computer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• allot
• allocate
• distribute
• apportion
• allow
• lot
• give
• ration
• divide
• measure
• portion
• dispense
• administer
• grant
• split
• deal
• prorate
• share (out)
• reassign
• award
• hand out
• contribute
• part
• parcel (out)
• reserve
• meter
• donate
• mete (out)
• earmark
• reallocate
• dole out
• accord
• redistribute
• admeasure
• reapportion
• chip in

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deny
• retain
• deprive (of)
• withhold
• keep
• begrudge
• appropriate
• stint
• confiscate
• arrogate

3

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

• cede
• transfer
• convey
• relinquish
• lend
• bequeath
• donate
• alienate
• deed
• leave
• dispose of
• will
• entrust
• grant
• alien
• rent
• contribute
• transmit
• pass (down)
• confer
• move
• lease
• make over
• present
• loan
• bestow
• pass
• commit
• commend
• deliver
• turn in
• surrender
• trust
• yield
• consign
• turn over
• hand down
• let
• vest
• release
• intrust
• hand over

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expropriate

4

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

• appoint
• nominate
• constitute
• designate
• name
• attach
• authorize
• place
• induct
• detail
• commission
• choose
• create
• delegate
• elect
• select
• install
• ordain
• inaugurate
• deputize
• institute
• invest
• make
• consecrate
• crown
• depute
• anoint
• vote (in)
• instate
• draft
• enthrone
• handpick
• single (out)
• destine
• throne

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dismiss
• expel
• remove
• discharge
• fire
• displace
• evict
• eject
• oust
• depose
• unseat
• throw out
• overthrow
• dethrone
• unmake
• blackball
• uncrown

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

Recent Examples of assign

Dowman was assigned to Ryan’s under-12’s team around the end of Covid. —Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

Give emerging leaders real authority quickly by assigning stretch tasks that carry visible stakes. —Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025

Leakey had long been interested in sending a researcher to study wild chimpanzees in Tanzania, and ultimately assigned Goodall the task in 1960. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025

Ahmed became a deputy sheriff in 2019 and is assigned to the Denver County Jail. —Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025