Definition of consignnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word consign distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of consign are commit, confide, entrust, and relegate. While all these words mean "to assign to a person or place for a definite purpose," consign suggests removing from one's control with formality or finality.

consigned the damaging notes to the fire

When is it sensible to use commit instead of consign?

While the synonyms commit and consign are close in meaning, commit may express the general idea of delivering into another's charge or the special sense of transferring to a superior power or to a special place of custody.

committed the felon to prison

When could confide be used to replace consign?

While in some cases nearly identical to consign, confide implies entrusting with great assurance or reliance.

confided complete control of my affairs to my attorney

In what contexts can entrust take the place of consign?

The words entrust and consign are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, entrust implies committing with trust and confidence.

the president is entrusted with broad powers

When would relegate be a good substitute for consign?

The synonyms relegate and consign are sometimes interchangeable, but relegate implies a consigning to a particular class or sphere often with a suggestion of getting rid of.

relegated to an obscure position in the company

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 consign Hitler comes to power; Lajos, by now a regional administrator, reluctantly carries out the Nazis’ orders, consigning the local Jewish population to death; Ilona and her husband flee to America by way of Switzerland. Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026 Mannequins will be displayed permanently after gala And these 25 new mannequins will not be consigned — as some are — to retirement after the show, which opens to the public May 10. CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026 And these 25 new mannequins will not be consigned — as some are — to retirement after the show, which opens to the public May 10. ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026 Right around that time, the Venice Film Festival saw Mamoru Hosoda’s anime epic Scarlet, in which the Danish prince became an ass-kicking Danish princess consigned to a hellish and phantasmagoric underworld. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for consign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consign
Verb
  • The male and female Islanders are split up for a week, with half being sent to a whole other villa as new contestants are brought in, aiming to couple up the Islanders.
    Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
  • Thursday afternoon at San Diego State’s Tony Gwynn Stadium, his Rams sent Macuga out in style, beating Calvin Christian 7-1 to claim the CIF San Diego Section Division 5-AA championship.
    John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • But O’Keefe got pars on 15 and 16, then birdied 17 and 18 to leave no doubt.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2026
  • Rollins leaves no immediate survivors.
    Don Heckman, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
Verb
  • Tovar ambushed Kilian’s first offering, pulling a two-run homer over the left-field fence to hand the Giants their fourth straight loss.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 May 2026
  • If the 5 in 5 rule means the clock is ticking on their college eligibility as soon as they’re handed a high school diploma, more Minnesota kids are likely to leave the prep ranks early.
    Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • Other league commissioners, including the NBA’s Silver, are entrusted with that role.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 May 2026
  • There’s a similar mismatch happening with fourth lines in the series, too, with Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour entrusting William Carrier, Mark Jankowski and Eric Robinson with key minutes and being rewarded with three key goals already in this series.
    James Mirtle, New York Times, 26 May 2026
Verb
  • Fonenot transferred to Mater Dei Catholic School before this school year.
    Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
  • After arriving, those items will be transferred immediately into other outbound trucks, along with other incoming deliveries, and sent out to other warehouses.
    Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • Crichton goes to a lot of effort to give plausible explanation to the harvesting and recombination of dinosaur DNA, and the mistakes that the involved human beings make are ones of ego, greed, and—more or less—neglecting to double-check their homework before turning it in.
    Ian Mackenzie, Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
  • Guests are given her phone number for Whatsapp requests, such as a hard-to-book table at Francis Mallmann’s restaurant at Bodega Garzón or for tickets to José Igancio’s international film festival.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • The deal is crafted, in a way, that Iran will not receive any concessions from the United States unless Tehran delivers on its promises, the official said.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 May 2026
  • The Shenzhou 23 mission follows shortly after the launch of the Tianzhou 10 cargo spacecraft, which arrived at Tiangong on May 11, delivering nearly 7 tons of supplies.
    Andrew Jones, Space.com, 24 May 2026
Verb
  • Consumers are intrigued by convenience, but at the same time clearly uneasy about relinquishing control.
    Jacques Ledbetter, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
  • Days after being released on a 1 million-euro bail, the company announced that the 45-year-old has temporarily relinquished his roles as vice chairman and as a member of the board of directors.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 26 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Consign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consign. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on consign

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster