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 The racket was consigned by the man Djokovic gave it to following the 2012 final. Larry Holder, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026 Now, the 200-acre grounds are transformed into a massive automotive showcase with 900,000 square feet of tents that house thousands of vehicles consigned for auction. Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026 Timing and fate would crown some of the climbers with success and consign others to the coldest of graves. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026 For instance, Disney Plus has developed companion podcasts for Only Murders in the Building, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and Tell Me Lies, and that strategy has the benefit of attaching these podcasts to the actual content instead of consigning it to the walled garden Netflix had created. Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for consign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consign
Verb
  • The ship remnant will be among several items sent back to the Iziko Museums of South Africa later this year.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Grace, in turn, grouses about his new roomie in a series of video diaries, which will be sent back to Earth.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Late November through May is the dry season there, which means fewer rains to stir up the water—leaving it with some of the clearest visibility for snorkeling and diving all year.
    Annie Daly, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
  • San Francisco put on the hardest of sells on to try to keep the talented linebacker — head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch flew to Texas to try to talk him out of leaving — but Greenlaw ultimately chose the Broncos.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In short, the court handed the president an off-ramp from one of the most unpopular economic policies of his second term, with a legitimate constitutional explanation attached.
    Jay Caruso, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Two weeks ago, Texas Tech handed Iowa State its only home loss of the season.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The narrative centers on the mercenary Dao Ma, a wandering bounty hunter who is entrusted to escort a mysterious fugitive across the treacherous Western deserts to the capital of Chang’an.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Owners are entrusting brokers with significant financial decisions.
    Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • When in a group, space out to prevent the current from transferring between individuals.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2026
  • The camp is intended for short-term stays before detainees are transferred or deported.
    Morgan Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Noting some confusion over the like-for-like numbers this year, given recent changes to the business structure, the analysts said that weapon and ammunition growth will remain elevated, and there is scope for its naval business to be resilient, too.
    Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The dozens of demonstrators who signed up to give their public comment had to wait outside.
    Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • And the loss of Amarion Dickerson, who would’ve been a key rotation piece, ended up being a major blow for a team that was counting on everyone at the top of the rotation to deliver.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The remarks, delivered to Standard Bank executives and reported for the first time by Semafor, captured the growing unease among policymakers about how quickly the external shocks can undermine domestic planning, especially for an open, import-dependent economy like South Africa.
    Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Our hope is that the Islamic Republic will relinquish power and transfer it to the people.
    Leila Fadel, NPR, 5 Mar. 2026
  • China, historically the largest driver of the country’s overall trade deficit in goods, has relinquished its status in that regard.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 4 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Consign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consign. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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