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 Had he been exposed to a more run-of-the-mill pneumonic plague, symptom onset would have already consigned him to bed. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026 Less than two years ago, British Prime Minister Starmer led his Labour party to its biggest majority in Parliament this century, consigning the Conservatives to their worst-ever defeat. Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 20 July 2026 Like the police report in Sebold’s assault, those cases had also been quickly consigned to the inactive file. ProPublica, 14 July 2026 According to New York investigators, the vase was smuggled out of Italy by Fritz Burki and consigned for sale at Christie’s London before entering the museum’s collection. Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for consign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consign
Verb
  • Previously, teenagers had to be sent back to their CHL teams and weren’t eligible for that kind of assignment.
    Chris Johnston, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Diesel prices in Lagos nearly doubled, fishing vessels in Maputo were left on the beach, and construction projects in Addis Ababa stalled, sending workers home.
    Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • To do so means leaving behind a life that job-seekers spend months, if not years, navigating administrative hurdles to attain.
    Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Marlins closer Pete Fairbanks started the ninth, but walked leadoff hitter Gabriel Moreno and threw one pitch to Geraldo Perdomo before leaving with an apparent injury.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The European Commission’s requirement of a 40% reduction in emissions from new heavy-duty vehicles by 2030 also risks handing Chinese manufacturers an opening, according to Daniela Costa, Goldman Sachs’ head of European capital goods research.
    Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Plates and cake forks were distributed by a young waitress also borrowed from Lyons, from the Corner House on Coventry Street, who cut the cakes and handed round slices to the judges.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Foreign leaders continue debating who should be entrusted to rebuild Gaza, as though Palestinians will not reclaim freedom with our own hands and rebuild it ourselves.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Nonprofit leaders are entrusted with missions, resources, sensitive information and decisions that can directly affect communities.
    Ekramy El Zaghat, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In the event of an incident, the current system requires a medical team to reach the driver after an incident, make an assessment and then transfer him to the medical center.
    Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • So the little zip zip of the print head inside is actually heating up the dye ribbon in the cartridge and transferring over a layer of color at a time.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Neither Moscow nor Kyiv give regular updates on their battlefield losses.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Our affiliates in Texas would have to give equal time to as many candidates as there are on the ballot, and there’s about 10 candidates on the ballot.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Western philanthropists, on the other hand, are surrounded by mature civil-society groups, and so are more content to just deliver funding through grants.
    Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026
  • They are managed by Francesco Farioli, an up-and-coming young Italian coach who has instilled an attractive style of play and delivered their first Portuguese league title since 2022.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • His willingness to relinquish power set a powerful precedent for American leadership that resonated far beyond our state’s borders.
    Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Atlanta never relinquished the lead and eliminated the Sixers.
    Jason Jones, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Consign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consign. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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