ASSIGN Synonyms: 146 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'assign' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of assign are ascribe , attribute , credit , and impute . While all these words mean "to lay something to the account of a person or thing," assign implies ascribing with certainty or after deliberation. // assigned the bones to the Cretaceous period

Q: In what contexts can 'ascribe' take the place of 'assign'?

The synonyms ascribe and assign are sometimes interchangeable, but ascribe suggests an inferring or conjecturing of cause, quality, authorship. // forged paintings formerly ascribed to masters

Q: How is 'attribute' related to other words for 'assign'?

Attribute suggests less tentativeness than ascribe , less definiteness than assign . // attributed to Rembrandt but possibly done by an associate

Q: Where would 'credit' be a reasonable alternative to 'assign'?

In some situations, the words credit and assign are roughly equivalent. However, credit implies ascribing a thing or especially an action to a person or other thing as its agent, source, or explanation. // credited his teammates for his success

Q: When is it sensible to use 'impute' instead of 'assign'?

While in some cases nearly identical to assign , impute suggests ascribing something that brings discredit by way of accusation or blame. // tried to impute sinister motives to my actions

assign

verb

ə-ˈsīn

Definition of assign

as in to task

to give a task, duty, or responsibility to assigned the class with the task of finding something in the state constitution they felt needed changing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to allot

to give as a share or portion each new employee is assigned a cubicle and a computer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to cede

to give over the legal possession or ownership of assigned all rights to and royalties from the song to the Boy Scouts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

expropriate

as in to appoint

to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty the mayor assigned the panel with the task of luring a major sports franchise to the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word assign different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of assign are ascribe, attribute, credit, and impute. While all these words mean "to lay something to the account of a person or thing," assign implies ascribing with certainty or after deliberation.

assigned the bones to the Cretaceous period

In what contexts can ascribe take the place of assign?

The synonyms ascribe and assign are sometimes interchangeable, but ascribe suggests an inferring or conjecturing of cause, quality, authorship.

forged paintings formerly ascribed to masters

How is attribute related to other words for assign?

Attribute suggests less tentativeness than ascribe, less definiteness than assign.

attributed to Rembrandt but possibly done by an associate

Where would credit be a reasonable alternative to assign?

In some situations, the words credit and assign are roughly equivalent. However, credit implies ascribing a thing or especially an action to a person or other thing as its agent, source, or explanation.

credited his teammates for his success

When is it sensible to use impute instead of assign?

While in some cases nearly identical to assign, impute suggests ascribing something that brings discredit by way of accusation or blame.

tried to impute sinister motives to my actions

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 assign At the time of his arrest, McQuay supervised about 15 officers assigned to a patrol unit in Fresno’s northeast policing district. — Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Agents can be assigned to different responsibilities based on their background and areas of expertise. — Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Oct. 2026 Although online court records list Michael Morrison as a public defender in the case, a representative of the Orange County Public Defender’s Office told PEOPLE that an individual attorney had not yet been assigned. — Esther Lian, PEOPLE, 16 Oct. 2026 Michigan State Police have been assigned to the investigation. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assign

Recent Examples of Synonyms for assign

Verb

Perseverance reached the milestone distance while traveling along the western rim of of Mars' Jezero Crater, where the rover has been tasked with investigating what scientists believe may be some of the oldest terrain in the solar system.

— Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
In industrial optimization, AI may be tasked with reducing energy use, increasing production or improving quality.

— Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of task

Verb

Insider tip If your schedule permits, allot at least two days here.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
Hinson said the bill’s reductions to Medicaid spending for Iowa will be offset by the Rural Health Transformation Program, which allots $50 billion divided among all 50 states over the next five years.

— Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of allot

Verb

The Democrats were ceding ground on immigration and deeply divided on Israel’s war in Gaza.

— Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
But, for now, the race that will be watched is whether California may cede its status as the top location for Hollywood projects.

— Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of cede

Verb

The second challenge is pursuing smart development while protecting the natural and community character entrusted to us.

— Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
It was later entrusted to Bulgari, where it was subsequently transformed into a diamond ring.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of entrust

Verb

Qualifying stock is transferred to Treasury and allocated to eligible children according to donor instructions and Treasury guidance.

— Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
The temporary restraining order by Judge Jennifer Rochon in Manhattan federal court also bars the Department of Homeland Security from spending any more of the $20 million allocated for the ad campaign.

— Dan Mangan, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of allocate

Verb

The 56-year-old was transferred on Friday from FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey to FCI Allenwood, a low-security prison in Pennsylvania, a Bureau of Prisons spokesperson confirmed with The Times.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Through its Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) programme, the service aims to develop modular systems that can be transferred between different military vehicles to expand air defense capabilities beyond specialized units.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of transfer

Cite this Entry

Style

“Assign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assign. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of assign

verb

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