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, 8 Feb. 2025
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
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 2 Aug. 2025
It’s long been pigeonholed as evening wear, but its true beauty lies in its versatility.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 27 July 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, 8 Feb. 2025
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
Lindsay Lohan, best known for her roles in Mean Girls and 1998’s The Parent Trap, opened up about how her time growing up in Hollywood led her to feel pigeonholed into certain types of roles in lieu of more highbrow fare.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 2 Aug. 2025
It’s long been pigeonholed as evening wear, but its true beauty lies in its versatility.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pigeonhole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pigeonhole
Verb
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In a society that relies so heavily on categorizing people into a gender binary, targeting a young man’s masculinity can be a particularly painful and isolating experience.—
Ashleigh N. DeLuca,
Parents,
4 Sep. 2025
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The first release of UCISD material on August 11 comprised 3,547 pages of material, categorized by the relevant person or subject.—
Matthew J. Friedman,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 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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The star, classified as IRAS 04302+2247, or IRAS 04302, is a protostar, with its disk measuring at around 40 billion miles (65 billion km) wide.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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It was classified as a heritage site in 1995 and then as a national monument in 1997.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Dunder Mifflin’s Oscar has a new cubicle and new co-workers in The Paper, a new spinoff series of The Office that has already been renewed for a second season.—
Danielle Directo-Meston,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
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Nominate it as one of America's Top Workplaces With millions forced to work from home, commutes and cubicles faded into the rearview as the flexibility of remote work caught on.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Worthy certainly was a significant part of the game-plan, and then his significance in the game was relegated to one series.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
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This summer will have been a baptism of fire for Underwood, too, jumping from the insulated confines of academy football into the bearpit of a window that will go some way to deciding whether Leeds are relegated or not.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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No paper towels at the three-compartment sink handwash sink.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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The tote features an interior zippered compartment, slip pocket, zip pocket, and an exterior zip pocket for ample storage.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That refers to the time in mid-July 2024 when state officials including Johnson and Laidlaw identified the site at 6310 Arkansas 215 south, about 8 miles north of Charleston, as a potential location for the new prison and July 31, 2024, when the state signed a contingency on the property.—
Penny Weaver,
Arkansas Online,
8 Sep. 2025
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At the scene, a member of the Toronto Police who identified himself as Officer Kim repeatedly prevented EW from approaching the woman for comment.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Social media management is another growing niche.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Weddings often take place outside of the normal nine-to-five office hours, with no shortage of customers or niche, sometimes wacky demands.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pigeonhole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pigeonhole. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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