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 It was never consigned in writing. Literary Hub, 6 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for consign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consign
Verb
  • Washington — The House approved an effort on Thursday to send fresh assistance to Ukraine after a few Republican members joined with Democrats to force a vote on the issue.
    Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 5 June 2026
  • If Scott had thrown a scoreless inning and sent the game into the 10th, Roberts planned to have Ohtani pinch hit for Miguel Rojas, the third batter due up.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026
Verb
  • Several students testified that Anthony was repeatedly asked to leave the Memorial High School tent before the confrontation escalated.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
  • That would leave the US emergency oil reserve with the least amount of oil since the early 1980s, when the economy was smaller and consumed less energy.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 9 June 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
  • None of the rockets—Ariane 6, New Glenn, or Vulcan—to which Amazon originally entrusted the bulk of its missions had reached the launch pad when the company announced its massive launch order in 2022.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026
  • At midnight toasts were made with Blanc de Blanc champagne, and then the evening continued with a DJ set entrusted to leading names on the international scene, including Carl Cox, Martin Garrix, David Guetta, and Peggy Gou, who alternated until late into the night.
    Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • Other students will transfer to two additional schools.
    Da Lin, CBS News, 6 June 2026
  • Everything learned can be transferred to ABB’s commercial charger installations.
    James Morris, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • Whitney Plantation hosts two permanent exhibits, one of which gives an overview about the history of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and another that focuses on the history of slavery in Louisiana.
    USA TODAY Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
  • On June 3, police went to serve the warrants but the suspect did not follow commands given by police and barricaded himself inside a residence located in the area of Alum Rock Avenue and Dale Drive, authorities said.
    Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • Sparks end a three-game losing streak with an 89-72 win over expansion Portland, delivering their stingiest defensive performance of the season.
    Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
  • Just days before the first article drawn from Silent Spring appeared in the pages of The New Yorker in June 1962, Carson had flown to California to deliver the commencement speech at Scripps College.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • In West Oakland, an old Greyhound terminal on Market Street converted to 102 apartments nearly a mile from a BART station relinquished the building back to the lender last year.
    Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 4 June 2026
  • The complex case revolves around a 2004 transaction, in which Monet’s great-nephew agreed to relinquish a rare Monet painting depicting the artist’s father, Adolphe, to the internationally renowned Wildenstein gallery, in exchange for several paintings of lesser value.
    Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 2 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Consign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consign. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

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