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 Young people are worried that AI may consign them to the unemployment line. — Mary Moreland, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026 From there, Saucedo reasoned Ruth right out of existence, consigning him to the same category as Bigfoot, a figment of the collective unconscious. — Rich Cohen, Air Mail, 3 Oct. 2026 Rather than taking possession of the works, the company consigned the collection back to Gupta to sell the works. — News Desk, Artforum, 2 Oct. 2026 Denigrating the relationship—deciding, for instance, that the rejecter was evil, dishonest, unworthy of your respect or time— devalues your own history, in effect consigning the whole relationship to the trash bin. — George Loewenstein, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for consign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consign
Verb
  • In an email sent to priests of the archdiocese on Saturday afternoon and shared with NPR, Archbishop Ronald Hicks also said the deal had not yet been signed but that an agreement had been reached with plaintiffs and their attorneys.
    — Chandelis Duster, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Union Berlin managed to draw at Augsburg 1-1 after a player from each was sent off in separate incidents.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Brown previously served as chairman, but caucus rules state that seniority resets if a senator leaves and then is reelected.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2026
  • That would leave each side well below the 61 seats needed to form a government with a parliamentary majority.
    — Giovanna Dell'Orto, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Ingrid spotted my car, greeted me with a big hug, and handed me a glass of white wine.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Queen Camilla, who wears the midi and maxidresses, took her admiration for Me+Em a step further, handing the brand a Royal Warrant as an official supplier of clothing and accessories to the royal household.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The Jets conducted an exhaustive search for their coach and general manager in 2025, and Johnson could entrust Mougey with those decisions this time.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The rifle is entrusted to the goat herder’s two young sons, who end up firing it from a mountainside at a coach filled with Western tourists just to see how far the bullet would go.
    — Ray Bennett, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Those tankers transfer oil to other tankers waiting in the Gulf of Oman for shipment to customers in Asia.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • A lot of uncertainty remains in the lift capacity of Starship, as well as in how much cryogenic methane and liquid oxygen will boil off in orbit and how efficient the process of transferring propellants from one ship to another will be.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The prince didn’t have any luck in blocking Kelce, which comes as little surprise given the Chiefs star knows how to avoid defensive players.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
  • This year, the company completed its purchase of Hot Topic, BoxLunch and Her Universe from Sycamore Partners, giving it more than 3,000 stores across North America.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • This collaborative work delivers a new chemical strategy for fabricating high-performance flexible perovskite modules in China.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Synthetic mRNA delivers the instructions on these specific targets, allowing the body to present them to immune cells.
    — Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Although dozens of islands were claimed through this process, the overwhelming bulk of these claims were relinquished in the late 20th century as the island countries of Oceania began to achieve independence.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • But the pro-Israel lobby is not relinquishing its political power, evidenced by its move to give more than $9 million to support Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate race.
    — Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Consign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consign. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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