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
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
Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
McQuarrie became pigeonholed in the wake of Usual Suspects as a crime thriller filmmaker, many of his ambitious pitches show down.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pigeonhole
Verb
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
Noun
Still, the Bears aren’t pigeonholing Keenum as just a coach in cleats and will give him opportunities to win the backup job behind Williams.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
McQuarrie became pigeonholed in the wake of Usual Suspects as a crime thriller filmmaker, many of his ambitious pitches show down.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pigeonhole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pigeonhole
Verb
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They were never easily categorized but rather open to many styles.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Aug. 2025
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This risk factor can also be categorized more precisely as political risk.—
Catherine Brock,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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There’s also a theater room with low-level, dimmable lighting; beanbags; and a cubbyhole with a cushioned area.—
Jen Malia,
Curbed,
20 Aug. 2025
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The narrow, shaded Via Santa Maria della Pietà is Neapolitan-esque in its air of ancient mystery, with big arched doorways to houses and glimpses into tiny barber shops and a cubbyhole tattoo parlor.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Gu classifies premium as cars over 40,000 Euros ($47,000).—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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The expert group, which classifies global hunger crises for the UN, said that all of Gaza’s two million people were suffering severe hunger, with at least a quarter of them facing starvation.—
Semafor Staff,
semafor.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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At a time when fellow Gen Z college graduates are struggling to land jobs, those with roles may have reasoned that giving up the comfort of their home office to work in their corporate cubicle may be worth it in the long term.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
12 Aug. 2025
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Either way, there’s no cubicle, or jacket required.—
Adrian Bridgwater,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2025
Verb
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By the end of the year, the cold fusion bubble had burst, the technology was discredited, and the concept relegated to bad spy fiction and conspiracy theories.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Aug. 2025
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After being relegated to the bench as his season spirals out of control, shortstop Anthony Volpe returned to the lineup against the Washington Nationals, only for his issues at the plate to reach a brutal new low.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Booking a night train with a private compartment or bed will be more expensive.—
Nicole Kobie,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
-
The 360-degree spinner wheels make airport navigation effortless, while the inside is spacious, with zipper compartments and dividers to keep your things organized.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, was armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol when the assault began at the Church of Annunciation at about 8:30 a.m.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
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The foundation identified access to affordable housing and access to cash and capital as leading issues, and prioritized funding strategies to address those needs, Bishop said.—
Alyssa N. Salcedo,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Over 45 years, the series highlighted the very best in the niche market of high school cross country and played host to two 5,000 meter races at Balboa Park, which highlighted future Olympians like Cathy O’Brien, Bob Kennedy, Dathan Ritzenhein, Cole Hocker and Grant Fisher.—
Cory Mull,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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His 15 minutes of fame on Fox News represented an unlikely turn for a young man who’d spent his short career founding niche tech startups.—
Avi Asher-Schapiro,
ProPublica,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pigeonhole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pigeonhole. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.
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