as in to categorize
disapproving
to unfairly think of or describe (someone or something) as belonging to only a certain category
She likes to perform different types of music because she doesn't want to be pigeonholed.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pigeonhole
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Gaga refused to be pigeonholed as an artist, or objectified as a woman in pop.
—Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
Will Leitch, Vulture, 24 June 2024
And even those films starring endlessly reincarnating supernatural psycho slashers chasing nubile coeds aren’t so simple to pigeonhole politically.
—David Colman, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pigeonhole
Verb
While staff are reluctant to pigeonhole him at such a young age, his best attribute is the ability to receive and then drive through midfield, with a deeper position conducive to bringing those strengths to the fore.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Gaga refused to be pigeonholed as an artist, or objectified as a woman in pop.
—Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
And to his credit, Leitch escapes that pigeonhole … only to get trapped in another.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 24 June 2024
And even those films starring endlessly reincarnating supernatural psycho slashers chasing nubile coeds aren’t so simple to pigeonhole politically.
—David Colman, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pigeonhole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pigeonhole
Verb
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In Systema Naturae, Linnaeus categorized life by species, genera, orders, classes, and kingdoms.—
Danny Robb,
JSTOR Daily,
2 May 2025
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Eagles general manager Howie Roseman refused to categorize Campbell as only an off-ball linebacker, instead emphasizing the team’s desire to disrupt the passing game.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Having moved nearly four years ago from a 15,000-square-foot warehouse in Williamsburg to a street-level cubbyhole on the side of 30 Rock, Rough Trade finally has some room to spread out in the Art Deco complex.—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
11 Apr. 2025
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Image Image The center is visible from the street through a glass entrance opening to a wide corridor and wall of custom shelving with cubbyholes, pegboards and stools designed by the architect Koray Duman.—
Hilarie M. Sheets,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Boys of Summer is classified as a fougère, a classically masculine scent categorized by herbaceous top notes (usually lavender), a floral heart, and a green, woody base.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
Glamour,
2 May 2025
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According to the plan, the parade would be classified as a national special security event, and that request has been submitted by the National Park Service and is under review.—
Lolita C. Baldor,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2025
Noun
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The main campus in Murray Hill, New Jersey appears like a bit of a ghost town, with empty cubicles and offices lining the halls.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
18 Apr. 2025
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Mike swiped through security, bought a coffee at the snack shop, and took the elevator up to his floor of padded cubicles.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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If the next generation of cross-border rails is written in Brussels, Shenzhen or Riyadh, the dollar could be relegated to just one more token on someone else’s ledger, accepted out of habit rather than structural necessity.—
Zennon Kapron,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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Does that relegate the 2024 second-round pick to the bench, assuming Williams holds onto his starting role alongside McKinney?—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The roomy main compartment has multiple pen pockets, two slip pockets and a zipper pocket for smaller items.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
2 May 2025
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Storage is primarily the main compartment, which does have a small zippered pocket near the top for keys, wallet, and smaller items.—
Scott Gilbertson,
Wired News,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Cosmos 482 separated into four pieces, two of which remained in Earth's low orbit and decayed within 48 hours, and the other two pieces went into a higher orbit.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
11 May 2025
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Let the chicken cool completely before storing it in the fridge, and separate the meat from the bones for easier reheating.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
Noun
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Carving out a niche in haute couture, particularly, Tisci's designs have been worn by the likes of Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
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New interdisciplinary degrees such as a BS in Complexity Science and a BS in Ocean Futures, along with an MS in Biomimicry and an MS in Global Technology and Development provide a unique niche in higher education.—
Bryan Penprase,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pigeonhole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pigeonhole. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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