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 Audi’s new model lineup assigns even numbers to EVs and odd numbers to combustion and hybrid cars. Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2025 But our associates, who are assigned to each show, adapt the teaching of the illusions to the needs of the performers, because illusions have to feel natural to not appear contrived. Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025 People assigned female at birth may have greater magnesium needs while training due to fluctuations in progesterone and estrogen during the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle (the first 14 days, starting from the first day of their period). Erika Prouty, Health, 21 Apr. 2025 Instead, each garment or accessory is assigned one or two points. Marilú Almaguer, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for assign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assign
Verb
  • Anunoby, who also finished with 23 points in Game 1, was tasked with making Cunningham feel a presence as swallowing as Madison Square Garden was on Saturday night.
    James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Musk is tasked with heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and has faced fierce backlash amid cuts to the federal budget, including thousands of federal jobs, and the dismantling of entire agencies.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Last week, dozens of journalists were allotted 10-minute interviews with Wilmore and, separately, Suni Williams.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Be sure to allot two to three hours to explore each town.
    Haley Harrison, AFAR Media, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But in Mexico, which in defeat was forced to cede more than half of its territory to the U.S., memories of the war and other military quarrels with the nation’s powerful northern neighbor remain deeply felt.
    Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The Russian attack came amid intensifying negotiations to end the war, with White House officials pressuring Zelenskyy and Ukraine to accept a potential peace plan that may include ceding land to Russia, according to a senior Ukrainian official.
    Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Benedict left the papacy nine years before his death amid a 2013 resignation, with Francis appointed that same year.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Sense' Lottery Chief Resigns After 'Biggest Theft' in the History of Texas Houston YMCA Cutting Staff After Trump Funding Blow Governor Abbott will be responsible for appointing members of TREO which will also have up to 18 full-time employees.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Why should the state be held to a lesser standard than private institutions or organizations, especially when some of the state’s most vulnerable children were entrusted to the state’s care for guidance, treatment and rehabilitation?
    Diana Philip, Baltimore Sun, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Means are entrusted to all of government, but most especially to the Judiciary by the Constitution itself.
    TIME Staff, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Inflation Reduction Act allocated $15 million for a task force within the IRS to create a report about the costs and opinions of a potential direct e-file program.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • According to Harvard’s annual report, the largest chunks of the endowment are allocated to private equity (39%) and hedge funds (32%).
    Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Revell said the suspect will need a significant amount of time to recover from his injuries after which he'll be transferred to a detention facility.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
  • According to Nature, the findings offer the first evidence for squirrels transferring the virus to primates.
    Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Lyonne received widespread acclaim for the role, nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
  • And the two chefs have been nominated for a 2025 James Beard Award as Outstanding Restaurateur, which honors chefs and entrepreneurs who demonstrate creativity, integrity and building community.
    Gary Stern, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Assign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assign. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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