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
Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
When someone is known primarily for reliability, colleagues unconsciously pigeonhole them.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for pigeonhole
Verb
After making Dances With Wolves, Greene told his agents to pursue other types of projects to ensure he wasn’t pigeonholed as a performer.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
When someone is known primarily for reliability, colleagues unconsciously pigeonhole them.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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
See All Example Sentences for pigeonhole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pigeonhole
Verb
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First, categorize tech debt into principal, interest, liabilities and opportunity cost.—
Daniel Kendzior,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
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In addition to the 10 races rated competitive by VPAP, State Navigate categorized District 30 as the tightest race in the House of Delegates this year.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Verb
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The ratings group classifies 17 Republican Senate seats as solid Republican, with only two likely Republican and one as leans Republican.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Furthermore, policymakers and procurement officials now classify technologies by urgency.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Decorations were abound in cubicles, offices and green rooms, and snack carts were set up around almost every quarter.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
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Three men shared this cubicle—Qing Yuan during the night shift, Qi Chu the morning, and Lao Jia the afternoon.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At the end of the following season, they were relegated on the final day courtesy of defeat at Arsenal, where Wright was among the scorers.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Social media is abuzz with rumors that Disney theme parks might not keep villains around the parks year-round and would instead be relegated to the Halloween season.—
James Factora,
Them.,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This version is designed with multiple compartments underneath to keep remotes, books, and more items organized.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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Be sure to pack them in a secure zippered toiletry bag with dedicated compartments, too.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When the bodies of the drowned are retrieved, they’re sent to Alexandroupoli to be identified.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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The latest transfer of remains comes after Hamas handed over the bodies of two deceased hostages on Thursday evening, identified as Amiram Cooper, 84, and Sahar Baruch, 25.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Using natural wood for the shelves can add warmth and subtle sophistication to an oven range, above the tub, or in an office's arched niche.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Nov. 2025
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However, both sets of remains could share the same plot, niche, crypt or vault.—
Angela Rodriguez,
Sacbee.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pigeonhole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pigeonhole. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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