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 One counter-sniper assigned to the Butler rally testified he had not been told about any intelligence suggesting a potential long-range threat. Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025 Registration ensures everyone is accounted for, prevents duplication of efforts and allows coordinators to assign tasks efficiently, Mckell said. Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 13 July 2025 The cuts will exempt passport and visa operations, law enforcement agents, and regional staff assigned to specific country desks. Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025 Showalter is assigned to KCPD’s patrol bureau according to DiMartino. Kansas City Star, 11 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
  • Not coincidentally, Democratic congressional candidates received the bulk of AIPAC funding in 2024: 58.6 percent, as opposed to the 38.5 percent allotted to Republicans.
    Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
  • As Purdue updates its plans, IU has allotted hundreds of millions of dollars to build multiple major facilities, including an 11-story School of Medicine building and a 4,500-seat athletics center, on its downtown campus in the next few years.
    Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Democrats have accused their Republican colleagues of ceding that power to the president with measures like the recent spending cuts, as well as a sweeping tax, spending and policy bill passed earlier in July at Trump's urging.
    Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 19 July 2025
  • In court filings, Pryor anticipated, and attempted to quell, the timing problem by arguing he was required to cede control of his NIL in perpetuity.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 19 July 2025
Verb
  • In February, President Trump appointed White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought as acting director of the CFPB.
    Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 15 July 2025
  • Authorities working on the project, which has faced delays and budget overruns, have been reviewing the scope and feasibility of the giga project and appointed a new CEO for that purpose.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 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
  • County records show commissioners allocated about $270,000 to the A3 Foundation over the last two years, utilizing funds reserved for charities and nonprofit events.
    Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 23 July 2025
  • This involves planning your day in advance and allocating specific time slots for various tasks, meetings, and even breaks.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Griner was transferred to a Russian penal colony roughly 300 miles outside of Moscow after being sentenced to nine years in prison.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2025
  • More than 1,800 files were transferred after Gong had already accepted a position with one of the company's competitors.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Trump had previously nominated former Congress member Dave Weldon from Florida.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2025
  • In March, Trump nominated Cole as DEA administrator, pending confirmation in the Senate.
    A.J. Herrington, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Assign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assign. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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