pigeonholing

verb

present participle of pigeonhole
as in categorizing
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 pigeonholing Whether your perception of Gen Z is shaped by real-world interactions or two-dimensional headlines, pigeonholing a whole generation is reductive. — Alex Cooper, Fortune, 16 May 2026 McCurdy cautions against classifying Holiday as a blues singer and pigeonholing her into an age and culture. — Daniella Walsh, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026 The broader appeal and usefulness of the Dashaway eCT are just too dramatic to dedicate more time pigeonholing himself into a restrictive niche. — New Atlas, 28 Oct. 2025 Leibovitz has always resisted pigeonholing. — Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pigeonholing
  1. categorizing
  2. classifying
  3. relegating
  4. separating
  5. identifying
Verb
  • Zentist helps office staff stay on top of every claim by automatically categorizing insurance denials and adjustments.
    — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Those guidelines are much more attractive to taxpayers than those categorizing their income as gambling.
    — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 18 July 2026
Definition of categorizing
Verb
  • Summarizing documents, classifying information, answering routine questions and automating standard workflows don't always require the most capable model available.
    — Tiffany Chang, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The following conversation touches on Rock's latest project and process, writing young characters and classifying his own work into a genre.
    — Zachary Fletcher, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of classifying
Verb
  • The ballot measure requires a motorist’s driving record, years behind the wheel and annual miles driven to be the primary factors in setting rates, relegating residency to a relatively minor role — which advocates said is only a matter of fairness.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • With Belton’s regression and weaknesses in pass protection relegating him to the backup right tackle, the starting right guard spot seems to be a competition between Jacob Monk (currently leading) and Burton.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of relegating
Verb
  • Health inspectors provided education on separating meats and preventing cross contamination.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • With the performances in the team’s exhibition slate being close and neither separating themselves in training camp, the tie went to how Howell performed off the field.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of separating
Verb
  • Mensah is at his best identifying vulnerable matchups and delivering with accuracy.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • But for thousands who still mourn, especially in the New York region on the 25th anniversary, such fundamental concerns about identifying the victims, counting the dead and finding the culprits is the equivalent of an open wound.
    — Mike Kelly, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of identifying

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Cite this Entry

“Pigeonholing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pigeonholing. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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