pigeonhole 1 of 2

verb

Definition of pigeonholenext
as in to categorize
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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Dissimilar Words

pigeonhole

2 of 2

noun

as in cubbyhole

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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 pigeonhole
Verb
The Vikings must find a way to run or throw with dominance to pigeonhole defenses. — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 16 June 2026 The press was not particularly kind in their attempt to pigeonhole him. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 June 2026
Noun
Chen had hit upon a tantalizing hint that the link between the equality problem and the pigeonhole principle might also go the other way. — Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025 Dover is a company made up of a portfolio of different end markets and should not be held to a data center pigeonhole. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pigeonhole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pigeonhole
  1. categorize
  2. cubbyhole
  3. classify
  4. cubicle
  5. relegate
  6. compartment
  7. identify
  8. niche
Verb
  • Alongside the latest projections, the agency released a database that categorized occupations based on their theoretical and observed exposure to AI.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
  • All were categorized as printing expenses, indicating the money was being used for mail advertising.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of categorize
Noun
  • One day, during my visit, Cole used a step stool to access a small cubbyhole in a high corner of a bedroom wall—a sort of illogical nook that seemed preordained to house some private, upsetting object.
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • During the decades with Cox at the helm of the Braves, the smell of cigar smoke became familiar, wafting from the home dugout on early afternoons at old Fulton County Stadium or from a cubbyhole next to the home dugout at Turner Field.
    — David O'Brien, New York Times, 9 May 2026
Definition of cubbyhole
Verb
  • Back then, Pluto was classified as a full planet, but the discovery of 1992 QB-1, as well as Kuiper Belt objects even larger than Pluto found later, raised questions about Pluto's status.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In some cases, LinkedIn says views of content classified as AI spam have decreased by as much as 40 percent.
    — Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of classify
Noun
  • In a satiric short video, Rabid Dogs, 2002, for example, white-collar workers dress upas rapacious canines, clutching Burberry bags in their mouths and traversing cubicles on all fours.
    — Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • For nearly three decades, 59-year-old Eileen Munoz spent her workdays in a cubicle.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of cubicle
Verb
  • The only other show to have more than one nominee relegated was All Her Fault for acting nominee Dakota Fanning and writing nominee Megan Gallagher.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Trafford was relegated to a backup status and has also departed.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of relegate
Noun
  • The roofline is flatter, the rear compartment is more accommodating, and loading bulky stuff is easier.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Its spacious inner compartment has room for all my essentials, along with a mix of pockets to keep smaller items from disappearing into the bottom.
    — Kaitlin Marks, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of compartment
Verb
  • Programs such as HyCAT are intended to provide more frequent opportunities to test technologies in realistic flight conditions, potentially allowing developers to identify problems earlier and iterate more quickly.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Plaintiffs sought information identifying people involved in conceiving, creating, and carrying out the fund.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of identify
Noun
  • Simplicity’s goal is not to build just another general-purpose assistant, but dedicated solutions that understand niche workflows and execute on behalf of professionals.
    — Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
  • These aren't niche topics—they're part of everyday commercial operations.
    — David Crown, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of niche

Browse Nearby Words

pigeon
pigeonhole
pigeonholed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pigeonhole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pigeonhole. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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