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
New Atlas, 28 Oct. 2025
That’s hardly the only time Davis has been pigeonholed in her career.
—Galina Espinoza, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2025
Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025
And to his credit, Leitch escapes that pigeonhole … only to get trapped in another.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pigeonhole
Verb
The broader appeal and usefulness of the Dashaway eCT are just too dramatic to dedicate more time pigeonholing himself into a restrictive niche.
—New Atlas, 28 Oct. 2025
That’s hardly the only time Davis has been pigeonholed in her career.
—Galina Espinoza, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
Dover is a company made up of a portfolio of different end markets and should not be held to a data center pigeonhole.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025
And to his credit, Leitch escapes that pigeonhole … only to get trapped in another.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pigeonhole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pigeonhole
Verb
-
The United States justified its attack on Caracas by categorizing it as a law enforcement operation against Maduro.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
10 Jan. 2026
-
In a matter of days, the basement of a local gym was transformed into a free store, with donations categorized by volunteers.—
Elle McLogan,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The captain instead had to remain up on the topside in the cubbyhole of his pilot house.—
Eric DuVall,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Sep. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
The department classifies Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger under its highest Level 4 advisory, warning Americans about issues of terrorism, crime, kidnapping, and more.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Those only include what the police classify as murders or non-negligent manslaughter.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After parkouring his way through the bank, the buck got stuck in a cubicle.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The trailer brings us the bored Adam Glenn (aka Prince Adam/He-Man — played by Nicholas Galitzine) wasting away in his corporate America cubicle.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Happily for those who do want alcohol, the team didn't relegate their care and creativity to the boozeless drinks—the menu has hits from top to bottom.—
Noah Kaufman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Jan. 2026
-
At this point, should humanity just be relegated to the irradiated scrapheap?—
Jack King,
Vulture,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Crafted from durable and impact-resistant material, this spacious carry-on is designed to fit in most overhead compartments (but as always, be sure to check with your specific airline).—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
-
This lightweight gym tote has dedicated compartments for tumblers, yoga mats, and valuables.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The trooper initiated a traffic stop to investigate, and the driver, identified as Ezeiruaku, was arrested.—
Briana Aldridge,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
An investigation identified the suspect as 23-year-old Sidney Dillon Pittman, who lives at the home the delivery driver visited by accident, court records show.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In the years since 2004’s Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, Penn’s carved out a niche embodying big-talking, attention-grabbing rascals who say inappropriate things, then shrug their way through the consequences.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The study made a significant contribution, if not clarification, to this academic niche — medieval migration wasn’t seasonal, nor sporadic and intense.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pigeonhole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pigeonhole. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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