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
That’s hardly the only time Davis has been pigeonholed in her career.
—
Galina Espinoza, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2025
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
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
While men athletes often get pigeonholed into specific marketing lanes, women athletes naturally cross boundaries.
—Lindsey Darvin, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
We were really set on wanting this movie to have a certain amount of comedy timelessness, and so not getting pigeonholed in any one specific was really important for us.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
What sets Gupta apart is his refusal to be pigeonholed.
—Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Galina Espinoza, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2025
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
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
While men athletes often get pigeonholed into specific marketing lanes, women athletes naturally cross boundaries.
—Lindsey Darvin, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
We were really set on wanting this movie to have a certain amount of comedy timelessness, and so not getting pigeonholed in any one specific was really important for us.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
What sets Gupta apart is his refusal to be pigeonholed.
—Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pigeonholed
Verb
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Nursing homes on this ranking are categorized by state and size – including small, medium and large facilities based on the number of beds.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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The Versace business was not included in Capri Holdings’ first-quarter sales as it is being categorized as a discontinued operation.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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These benefits are classified as mandatory spending, which typically continues during a government shutdown since it is funded on a permanent or multi-year basis.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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Now classified as a deputy after the Miami-Dade Police Department became the Sheriff’s Office in January, police officer was the top job title last year in county government, with more than 2,400 people holding that position.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Four innings before the Jays finished Saturday’s 10-1 blowout win over the New York Yankees, snatching a series-opening victory in the American League Division Series, Gausman was relegated to spectator.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Moreover, while athletes that make the transition to media, whether during or after their sports careers, were once relegated to sports analytics and commentary, the canvas has become much broader.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the case of Cardi B, whose net worth is reportedly close to $100 million, being legally separated from her husband qualifies her as a single mother, although her economics put her in another category apart from both single- and dual-parent families.—
Meagan Jordan,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
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Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli have separated, Fox News has learned.—
Brie Stimson , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The suspect behind the deadly car and knife terror attack outside a synagogue in Manchester in the United Kingdom on Thursday has been identified by police as Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Exeter is currently listed on Dundon Capital’s website as part of its portfolio, and a 2022 news release from Exeter identified Dundon as chairman of the board.—
Tony Schick,
ProPublica,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pigeonholed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pigeonholed. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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