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 Real Real There are three different ways to consign with The Real Real. Alexis Bennett, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026 Thankfully, city officials—prodded by tenants and small-business owners, clergy and homeowners, and, yes, some landlords—rejected advice to consign neighborhoods such as East Flatbush to history’s dustbin. Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 11 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 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
  • If someone is affected by heat, immediately transfer them to a cool and shaded area.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Hernandez, now a state Representative and chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois, is supporting daughter Miranda Hernandez in the race, including transferring more than $20,000 to her campaign fund.
    A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 14 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
  • On Sunday, tens of thousands of Orbán supporters marched across a bridge over the Danube and toward Hungary's parliament, where the prime minister delivered a speech to the crowd which filled a sprawling square.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Streisand, who played the neurotic, political firebrand Katie Morosky opposite Redford's WASPy Hubbell Gardiner in the 1973 romantic drama, performed a song and delivered a speech honoring him during the Oscars' In Memoriam segment.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The first goal came when goalkeeper John Pulskamp relinquished the ball to opposing striker Wessam Abou Ali in the box.
    PJ Green March 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Two were relinquished in the 1990s.
    Coalter G Lathrop, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Consign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consign. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

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