as in categorizes
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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pigeonholes
Verb
-
Utah is facing the worst drought conditions among western states, with more than 94% of the state experiencing what the USDM categorizes as a Moderate Drought and more than 40% of the state experiencing Severe Drought.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
5 Feb. 2026 -
Managers are asked to describe their leadership style in just three words, similar to how Netflix categorizes shows.—
Kevin Kruse,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sturm has an acquaintance who classifies the bumper position as a diamond.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
While there are some differences in how HBO and Nielsen collect their viewing data, the most likely explanation lies in how Nielsen classifies the show for its streaming rankings and Heated Rivalry’s release schedule.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Its two-liter capacity is divided into several compartments, including a back slip pocket, an exterior zippered pocket, and several slip and zippered pockets on its inside, too.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
-
During the service, passengers are seated in one of six private compartments with a table and chairs situated beside an oversized window.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Robby relegates Langdon to triage for now — there’s less of a chance the two will run into each other that way.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Ed’s high-paying job allows (or relegates) Jess to be a stay-at-home mum, her life devoted to (and circumscribed by) her children.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Staffers worked the phones from cubicles festooned with Halloween decorations.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
-
And newspaper presses, and cubicles for staff.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Without that key step, you can’t be classified as a true star; the presence of those fusion reactions, where hydrogen gets fused into helium, separates stars from all other heavenly bodies.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The deer can occasionally be spotted on the lawn that separates the casitas from the main building and on the paths through the property.—
John Newton,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Birdies’s golf bays will transform into the best private party space in town, with 200-inch TV displays.—
Bee staff
February 6,
Sacbee.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In addition, thick ice has expanded in the Straits of Mackinac where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan meet; Lake Huron's Ontario, Canada, bays; the inner Saginaw Bay area from Bay City to Port Austin; Lake Michigan's Wisconsin shores from Green Bay to Escanaba in the Upper Peninsula.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
From travel must-haves like packing cubes and portable chargers to airplane layers and tech upgrades, these member-only discounts can quickly add up to major savings, long before the sales go public.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Another surprise came from Remo Ruffini, chairman and chief executive officer of Moncler, who for the first time personally designed the look for the bearers of the placards, the latter looking like giant ice cubes.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
7 Feb. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Pigeonholes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pigeonholes. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
