pigeonhole 1 of 2

verb

Definition of pigeonholenext
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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Dissimilar Words

pigeonhole

2 of 2

noun

as in cubbyhole

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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 pigeonhole
Verb
That way, you’re not pigeonholed into redeeming your rewards exclusively through Delta. — Sarah Hostetler, CNBC, 5 June 2026 Conversations are cut down, some couples are poised to be the favorites, while other contestants get pigeonholed as the villains. — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 1 June 2026
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
  1. categorize
  2. cubbyhole
  3. classify
  4. cubicle
  5. relegate
  6. compartment
  7. identify
  8. niche
Verb
  • Although this book was longlisted for the National Book Award for Poetry, it could easily have been categorized as biography.
    — Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
  • Canada has nearly 900 wildfires burning, with over 200 categorized as out of control.
    — Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 17 July 2026
Definition of categorize
Noun
  • During the decades with Cox at the helm of the Braves, the smell of cigar smoke became familiar, wafting from the home dugout on early afternoons at old Fulton County Stadium or from a cubbyhole next to the home dugout at Turner Field.
    — David O'Brien, New York Times, 9 May 2026
  • How sweet the letters from Gita had been, arriving in his grad-school cubbyhole at Brooklyn Poly!
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of cubbyhole
Verb
  • Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified it as a chronic disease in 1997.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 18 July 2026
  • Broadnose sevengill sharks are considered aggressive when provoked and are classified as dangerous in both Australia and New Zealand, per the Institute.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
Definition of classify
Noun
  • An employee first spotted two live bedbugs in their cubicle on June 3 and reported the sighting to CDE leadership.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
  • United’s newest business-class cubicles add oversized 27-inch entertainment screens, caviar service, luxury skincare products and multi-course dining on long-haul international services.
    — Rio Yamat, Fortune, 7 July 2026
Definition of cubicle
Verb
  • Overshadowing the World Cup was the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal in Italy that resulted in Juventus, giants of the Italian game, being relegated to the second division Serie B.
    — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Instead of playing in Sunday’s final, the two traditional soccer powers will be relegated to a third-place bronze match Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium that will provide little consolation to either team or their fan bases.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
Definition of relegate
Noun
  • The dual-reactor compartment sits dead center within the Neo-Panamax hull structure.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026
  • The tray, which is offered in several colors, is made with food-grade plastic and features eight separate compartments that are removable and can be easily rearranged.
    — Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 July 2026
Definition of compartment
Verb
  • During the negotiations, authorities used drones to identify the trailer and make contact with the father, said Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • One suspect, who was not identified by police, was arrested and booked at the Sacramento County Main Jail on suspicion of battery causing serious bodily harm, Triplett said.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of identify
Noun
  • Why Tech Neck Has Become So Common Three forces are driving tech neck from niche complaint to mainstream diagnosis.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
  • Targeting niche podcasts ensures businesses connect directly with relevant audiences, making guesting a highly effective strategy for commercial success without needing to launch one's own show.
    — Chelsea Tobin, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of niche

Browse Nearby Words

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pigeonhole
pigeonholed
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Cite this Entry

“Pigeonhole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pigeonhole. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of pigeonhole for Spanish Speakers

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