pigeonholed

verb

past tense of pigeonhole
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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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 pigeonholed Long marginalized or pigeonholed by festival programmers, African cinema has achieved an undeniable foothold in the main programming strands of A-class fests. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026 This versatility makes checkerboard easier to translate into different aesthetics, allowing anyone to try the trend without feeling pigeonholed. — Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2026 An island that is often pigeonholed to infinity pools and rice-paddy views, the tropical destination is also home to working rice terraces still farmed by hand, daily temple offerings, and craft traditions passed down over generations. — Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 19 Aug. 2026 It's not just pigeonholed into one spot. — Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 That way, you’re not pigeonholed into redeeming your rewards exclusively through Delta. — Sarah Hostetler, CNBC, 5 June 2026 Conversations are cut down, some couples are poised to be the favorites, while other contestants get pigeonholed as the villains. — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 1 June 2026 The best sci-fi games are often pigeonholed into specific genres like shooters, strategy games, and RPGs, and for good reason; franchises like Mass Effect, StarCraft, and Half-Life are all-time classics. — Keith Langston, Space.com, 31 May 2026 German actors abroad are often pigeonholed as villains. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pigeonholed
  1. categorized
  2. classified
  3. relegated
  4. separated
  5. identified
Verb
  • Brisk walking, light cycling, doubles tennis and household chores such as vacuuming, mopping and mowing the lawn were categorized as moderate activity; vigorous activity included jogging, fast cycling, singles tennis and aerobics.
    — Jennifer Fields, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Currently, the San Francisco Bay Area is categorized as having high circulation of influenza, whereas activity in the Sacramento region is categorized as moderate to high, according to data from the California Department of Public Health.
    — Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of categorized
Verb
  • The Iowa State Medical Examiner's Office determined Buck died from a gunshot wound and her death was classified as a homicide, the agency said.
    — Nicholas Lentz, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Roughly 10 to 15% of all lung cancer cases are classified as a small cell carcinoma.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of classified
Verb
  • Artisanal weapons and revolvers have been increasingly relegated to rural areas, smaller criminal groups and individuals, while over the past two years gangs have been procuring larger numbers of more lethal weaponry.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The referendum marks a remarkable rise for a cause long relegated to Alberta’s political fringes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of relegated
Verb
  • In the commotion, she was briefly separated from her 85-year-old mother, who lives with her.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Instead, the adults were the ones who needed to be separated.
    — Jonathan Alpert OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of separated
Verb
  • Krantz said the suspect, a male city resident who has not yet been publicly identified, was spotted entering the school by a community member, who eventually pursued him into the school and shot him.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Police identified the suspect as a 16-year-old Bend resident.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of identified

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Cite this Entry

“Pigeonholed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pigeonholed. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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