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
Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
But Gaga has also been savvy enough not to be pigeonholed as just the avant-garde lady, though, opting for high elegance depending on the event.
—EW.com, 31 Aug. 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
When someone is known primarily for reliability, colleagues unconsciously pigeonhole them.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
But Gaga has also been savvy enough not to be pigeonholed as just the avant-garde lady, though, opting for high elegance depending on the event.
—EW.com, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pigeonhole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pigeonhole
Verb
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The spreadsheet and case notes either lack enough detail or contain none at all to categorize.—
Danielle DuClos,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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Another user, who said they are categorized as essential and are still going into the office, said in a post that their team had set up a food pantry in the office for colleagues who might struggle to afford essentials while not getting paid.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
16 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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What Happens Next Both the Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball classify the New Hampshire Senate race as Leans Democrat.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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MacKinnon had a game-high eight shots on goal, including at least two that can only be classified as great saves by Vejmelka.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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More than 30 participating brands took over the center of the Oculus in a Sephoria-esque labyrinth of cubicles, each fashioned after each brand’s DNA.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In defence, the signings of Jules Kounde and Christensen relegated Garcia to a secondary role.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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Sora 2 remains at the top of the free iPhone apps chart on the Apple App Store, with ChatGPT now relegated to second place.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Bagsmart Toiletry Bag delivers, with four spacious compartments, an exterior pocket, and a sturdy hook to keep your essentials organized and off the counter.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Oct. 2025
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An employee washing a stir-fry wok at the three-compartment sink skipped the sanitation step.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Using Hubble's data, astronomers have identified more than 80 possible star clusters inside this ring, many less than 100 million years old, though the spiral galaxy itself has likely persisted for over a billion years.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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The post did not identify the boy or the friend who was with him.—
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Over the years, Elizabeth carved out a niche in horror, including Thirteen Ghosts (2001) and Wes Craven’s Cursed (2004).—
Skyler Trepel,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
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On World Menopause Day, bringing menopause out of the shadows is not a niche concern but a public priority with tangible dividends for health, equity, and economic growth.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pigeonhole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pigeonhole. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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