as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type
we shouldn't compartmentalize the students into such restrictive categories as scholar and athlete, which are not mutually exclusive
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Recent Examples of compartmentalize
In situations of more extreme mental health issues, teens may not have the tools to navigate difficult feelings and instead, repress and compartmentalize their feelings as a way to cope.
—
Staff Author, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026
The premise isn’t without its intriguing ideas, too, like how dating-app technology has had a broader compartmentalizing effect on monogamous relationships in general.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2026
De-compartmentalize the rooms with a made-to-measure module.
—Nicolas Milon, Architectural Digest, 24 Feb. 2026
For a film such a this to arrive in a FIFA World Cup year is a stark reminder of the entwinement between soccer and corruption, and De Pauw’s performance as Mayor Dumont — a man inclined to compartmentalize and pass the buck — is wonderfully pathetic.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compartmentalize
Staff Author, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026
The premise isn’t without its intriguing ideas, too, like how dating-app technology has had a broader compartmentalizing effect on monogamous relationships in general.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2026
De-compartmentalize the rooms with a made-to-measure module.
—Nicolas Milon, Architectural Digest, 24 Feb. 2026
For a film such a this to arrive in a FIFA World Cup year is a stark reminder of the entwinement between soccer and corruption, and De Pauw’s performance as Mayor Dumont — a man inclined to compartmentalize and pass the buck — is wonderfully pathetic.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compartmentalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compartmentalize
Verb
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He was charged with battery and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling in September 2023, and with battery that May — both classified in court records as misdemeanors.—
Claudia Lauer,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
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The species is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, a classification that reflects both the remaining threats facing the animals and the significant progress conservation efforts have made.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His athletic metrics rank among some of the best in recent years.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Dugger was ranked as the 365th-best overall prospect by ESPN and was tabbed as the 25th-best linebacker in a New York Times special draft section.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Burnley lost and were relegated to the Championship.—
Nnamdi Onyeagwara,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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And the emotions weren’t relegated to the end, as the premise of the show often found the pair covering high drama from their lives, pop culture, famous friends and more.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At times, the line between Blue Hills and McCrory’s political office became difficult to distinguish.—
Andrew Brown,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
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Half critic, half concierge, Edwards’ round-ups are generally distinguished by a cheerfulness.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When space is tight, being able to compress and categorize your clothes makes everything feel a little less chaotic.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
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Jain is not even convinced that BTSP should be categorized as a non-Hebbian type of learning.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compartmentalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compartmentalize. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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