as in categorized
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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Recent Examples of pigeonholed
Hamill could not always avoid being pigeonholed.
—
Sanat Pai Raikar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Mar. 2026
Executives had pigeonholed her as a rom-com queen.
—New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026
At 46, Kate Hudson has secured a Best Actress Oscar nomination for Song Sung Blue, marking a dramatic career shift 25 years after her first nomination and years of being pigeonholed as Hollywood’s rom-com leading lady.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
Seattle’s assimilation of so many players that had previously been underestimated or counted out or pigeonholed, though — starting with former Jets first-round quarterback Sam Darnold — into such a dominant whole is rare.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
But Burns doesn’t want to be pigeonholed into that description.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 15 Jan. 2026
Women, on the other hand, especially those in the limelight, are frequently pigeonholed into being the face of the brand or the marketing tool.
—Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
There is a part of me that didn’t want to be pigeonholed.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
That’s hardly the only time Davis has been pigeonholed in her career.
—Galina Espinoza, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2025
Sanat Pai Raikar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Mar. 2026
Executives had pigeonholed her as a rom-com queen.
—New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026
At 46, Kate Hudson has secured a Best Actress Oscar nomination for Song Sung Blue, marking a dramatic career shift 25 years after her first nomination and years of being pigeonholed as Hollywood’s rom-com leading lady.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
Seattle’s assimilation of so many players that had previously been underestimated or counted out or pigeonholed, though — starting with former Jets first-round quarterback Sam Darnold — into such a dominant whole is rare.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
But Burns doesn’t want to be pigeonholed into that description.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 15 Jan. 2026
Women, on the other hand, especially those in the limelight, are frequently pigeonholed into being the face of the brand or the marketing tool.
—Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
There is a part of me that didn’t want to be pigeonholed.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
That’s hardly the only time Davis has been pigeonholed in her career.
—Galina Espinoza, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pigeonholed
Verb
-
Felicia Escobar Carrillo, former USCIS chief of staff under the Biden administration, said USCIS began publicly tracking the number of applications submitted - but not categorized - in 2023.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
17 Apr. 2026
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But unfortunately, these activities are often categorized as higher-risk and Squaremouth said standard travel insurance policies don't typically cover them.—
Kristine Hansen,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In California, animals and plants on the verge of extinction can be classified as threatened, endangered or fully protected.—
Sarah Linn,
Sacbee.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
They were both classified as EF0, Molina said.—
Joseph Serna,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The attached marathon seasons, compressed offseasons and challenging schedules that came with that stature also included generally being relegated to the posterior of the draft.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The Padres drafted Fountain as a third baseman and then relegated him mostly to DH duty last year following Tommy John surgery after the draft.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Investigators confirmed Unruh had filed for divorce in August 2025 and had separated from Orlando.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The footprint takes up Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh and part of the North Shore, with the two sites separated by a river.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Police have identified the woman, whose name was in Smith’s laptop.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Edmunds’ auto experts have identified the five best off-roading midsize trucks right now.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pigeonholed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pigeonholed. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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