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 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 But third base, which had originally been consigned to DJ LeMahieu — who turned out to be finished — was a mess last year, as was the infield defense as a whole, and Cashman was willing to eat all of $32-plus million on McMahon’s contract through 2027 in order to fix it. Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026 Most countries would prefer American hegemony to a multipolar world where they are consigned to one of China’s or Russia’s spheres of influence. Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for consign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consign
Verb
  • Messages sent to campus communities at the University of California, California State University, Stanford University and the Los Angeles Community College District said students, staff and faculty were affected.
    Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
  • During the Second World War, the Attenboroughs took in two Jewish sisters, who had come to Britain on the Kindertransport—the humanitarian scheme, devised after Kristallnacht, in 1938, for sending Jewish children, unaccompanied, to a safe haven.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • Connecticut is a part of a deregulated regional electrical grid, and Nicola noted that electricity is bought and sold on the open market, leaving the risks of building new plants to private companies.
    Krisztian Elcsics, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
  • Making Democrats disappear The DeSantis scheme would give Republicans 24 of Florida’s 28 seats in Congress, leaving the Democrats with just four.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • So when Jaden Smith wandered over to sign autographs, Huang handed the reel to him instead.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 May 2026
  • The whole point is to remove the decisions, not hand them back to her.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • And Curry entrusts his considerable talent to Kerr, who can look at his star point guard and just about diagnose his disposition.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 10 May 2026
  • What to read next NASA also wants SpaceX and Blue Origin to fully demonstrate successful uncrewed touchdowns on the moon, and liftoffs back to lunar orbit, before entrusting the lives of astronauts aboard the landers.
    Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • They are expected to face an extradition hearing on Monday before being transferred back to North Carolina to face charges.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
  • Chundi expressed concern about money being transferred from Resilience to the Westlaw account, after hearing some of the testimony.
    Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • Trump demonizes immigrants and has launched a sweeping mass-deportation campaign that was cheered by the far right across Europe; Sánchez resists such nativism, and his government is in the midst of a program to give legal status to some half a million undocumented migrants living in Spain.
    Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
  • Two losses in last month’s three league matches gave the impression of momentum slipping, and even if performances improved towards the end of April, something different was needed to shift the energy towards the club.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • The aunties who sternly monitor the tables here will take and deliver your order, but please do not expect guidance or friendship.
    Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026
  • One year offers a fleeting, cinematic eclipse around sunset; the next delivers a long, high-altitude spectacle.
    Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • Turn back the tape just a few weeks ago, to when the Five Stripes relinquished a 1-0 advantage in the final stretch to lose at home 2-1.
    Amna Subhan, AJC.com, 10 May 2026
  • More than 75 other nurses with Operation Nightingale school diplomas relinquished their Florida credentials, the health department said in its April 22 email in response to the Sentinel’s questions.
    Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Consign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consign. Accessed 14 May. 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