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
-
It is criminalized, typically as reckless endangerment, but isn’t categorized in the minds of normal people as a social crime.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The climb is categorized as AD, or moderately difficult, and usually takes five to seven days.—
Ally Jaksen,
Outside,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As a result of this change, Puma United will be classified as a discontinued operation in the company’s financial reporting from November 2025 onwards.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Every call to 211 is classified by the need of the caller, such as shelter, rent, utilities or food – each of which has its own code.—
Matthew W. Kreuter,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Thus far, Arsenal’s excellent form has relegated the injuries to a subplot.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
And that feeling of attachment, as Friedman sees it, is not relegated to vintage.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Upon landing, the men separated and tried to flee but most were captured that same day.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Others abused alcohol and drugs, were separated and divorced, or acted out violently.—
Arianna Huffington,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The district identified major concerns with fiscal and academic conditions at Aspire Capitol Heights Academy earlier this year as the school sought charter renewal.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
To avoid contamination, team members had their DNA genotyped so their own sequences could be identified and removed from the samples.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pigeonholed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pigeonholed. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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