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
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
That’s hardly the only time Davis has been pigeonholed in her career.
—Galina Espinoza, Flow Space, 10 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
The fact that Leaper doesn’t pigeonhole her stories into any one decade or era of modeling means readers can witness just how much has changed in this field of work — for better or for worse.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
That’s hardly the only time Davis has been pigeonholed in her career.
—Galina Espinoza, Flow Space, 10 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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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
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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
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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 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
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Those only include what the police classify as murders or non-negligent manslaughter.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This is reflected by there being only one lavatory containing two cubicles near the Diet's main plenary session hall for the 73 women elected to the lower house, according to the petition.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 Dec. 2025
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In his 40-person lab, cubicles line the gray carpet next to a communal Keurig.—
Noelle Harff,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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This look wasn’t relegated to the Jesus Movement scene.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
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Shoes that expose even an inch of skin are usually the first to go, relegated to the back of the closet until spring.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
9 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
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This lightweight gym tote has dedicated compartments for tumblers, yoga mats, and valuables.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The trooper initiated a traffic stop to investigate, and the driver, identified as Ezeiruaku, was arrested.—
Briana Aldridge,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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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
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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
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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 15 Jan. 2026.
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