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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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
The Vikings must find a way to run or throw with dominance to pigeonhole defenses. — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 16 June 2026 The press was not particularly kind in their attempt to pigeonhole him. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 June 2026
Noun
Chen had hit upon a tantalizing hint that the link between the equality problem and the pigeonhole principle might also go the other way. — Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025 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 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
  • Last week the Department of Health and Human Services posted a request for public input on how vaccines are categorized.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Granted, Mercury can scatter itself across too many possibilities, which is where Virgo comes in to sort, edit, categorize and ultimately improve the situation.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 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
  • Back then, Pluto was classified as a full planet, but the discovery of 1992 QB-1, as well as Kuiper Belt objects even larger than Pluto found later, raised questions about Pluto's status.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In some cases, LinkedIn says views of content classified as AI spam have decreased by as much as 40 percent.
    — Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of classify
Noun
  • The teen area features lounge-style furniture beneath a bright four-panel window, while private cubicles give patrons places to work at computers elsewhere in the library.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Small refrigerators popular with college students and cubicle workers should cool what’s inside, not burn its surroundings.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of cubicle
Verb
  • The only other show to have more than one nominee relegated was All Her Fault for acting nominee Dakota Fanning and writing nominee Megan Gallagher.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Trafford was relegated to a backup status and has also departed.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of relegate
Noun
  • The roofline is flatter, the rear compartment is more accommodating, and loading bulky stuff is easier.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Its spacious inner compartment has room for all my essentials, along with a mix of pockets to keep smaller items from disappearing into the bottom.
    — Kaitlin Marks, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of compartment
Verb
  • Researchers point out that this ability could make maritime simulations more realistic while helping identify weaknesses in operational plans.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • After encountering Baumeister again the following year, Goodyear helped investigators obtain information that led them to identify Baumeister.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of identify
Noun
  • The fragrances will launch direct-to-consumer, as well as at niche fragrance retailers Scent Bar, Stéle and The Conservatory NYC.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Isn’t a child’s struggle to feel accepted a genuinely universal one, even as it’s also protected and niche?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of niche

Browse Nearby Words

pigeon
pigeonhole
pigeonholed
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Cite this Entry

“Pigeonhole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pigeonhole. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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