ASSIGNMENT Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'assignment' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of assignment are chore , duty , job , stint , and task . While all these words mean "a piece of work to be done," assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority. // a reporter's assignment

Q: When is it sensible to use 'chore' instead of 'assignment'?

While the synonyms chore and assignment are close in meaning, chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm. // every child was assigned chores

Q: When is 'duty' a more appropriate choice than 'assignment'?

Although the words duty and assignment have much in common, duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance. // the duties of a lifeguard

Q: When might 'job' be a better fit than 'assignment'?

The synonyms job and assignment are sometimes interchangeable, but job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance. // the job of turning the company around

Q: When could 'stint' be used to replace 'assignment'?

In some situations, the words stint and assignment are roughly equivalent. However, stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service. // a 2-month stint as a reporter

Q: When can 'task' be used instead of 'assignment'?

The meanings of task and assignment largely overlap; however, task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance. // charged with a variety of tasks

assignment

noun

ə-ˈsīn-mənt

Definition of assignment

as in task

a piece of work that needs to be done regularly his first newspaper assignment was writing obituaries

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in job

a specific task with which a person or group is charged the spy team's assignment was to steal the plans for the nuclear reactor

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in lesson

something assigned to be read or studied have you read the assignment for tomorrow?

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in appointment

the state or fact of being chosen for a position or duty her assignment to the board of directors was a point of considerable pride for her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun assignment contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of assignment are chore, duty, job, stint, and task. While all these words mean "a piece of work to be done," assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.

a reporter's assignment

When is it sensible to use chore instead of assignment?

While the synonyms chore and assignment are close in meaning, chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.

every child was assigned chores

When is duty a more appropriate choice than assignment?

Although the words duty and assignment have much in common, duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.

the duties of a lifeguard

When might job be a better fit than assignment?

The synonyms job and assignment are sometimes interchangeable, but job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance.

the job of turning the company around

When could stint be used to replace assignment?

In some situations, the words stint and assignment are roughly equivalent. However, stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.

a 2-month stint as a reporter

When can task be used instead of assignment?

The meanings of task and assignment largely overlap; however, task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance.

charged with a variety of tasks

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 assignment Before the game, the Cardinals designated reliever Caleb Ferguson for assignment and recalled Mautz. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 The first depicted Joe at a government NAV office, while the following two tracked his search for the missing assignment. — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 Worth noting Bryce Eldridge returned from the bereavement list, and infielder Buddy Kennedy was designated for assignment. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026 Sadly, that assignment never came, and Dolly has always been the one who got away. — Corey Dubrowa, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assignment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for assignment

Noun

Mice treated with the grafts also did better on tasks testing their memory and spatial learning.

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
While living in Dublin, the Holbrookes are assigned to a kind of social worker (Domhnall Gleeson) whose task is to separate them bit by bit.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of task

Noun

In April, Flock Safety opened a 97,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Smyrna that is intended to create more than 200 jobs over the next three years as part of a $10 million investment.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
The Giants are entrusting Bryce Eldridge, their 21-year-old rookie, with the job of protecting Devers in the lineup.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of job

Noun

That same month, the administration temporarily paused the processing of immigrant visa appointments worldwide for consular officer training, though the pause is not expected to last beyond early to-mid-September.

— Mariel Ferragamo, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026
Sanchez’s appointment as Hot Docs president is effective immediately.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of appointment

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assigning

assignment

assignments

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Style

“Assignment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assignment. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of assignment

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