assignment

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Examples 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 The Chicago Tribune maintains editorial control over assignments and content. Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025 The project started as a student assignment, but the developers ultimately described their creation as a parody of art gallery culture. Ars Technica, 8 Jan. 2025 The original plan was for separate coaching assignments, which is to say Team Canada was going to name a head coach for 4 Nations and then wait a year and decide on the Olympic coach. Pierre Lebrun, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024 My final effort was a black satin Banana Republic mini skirt purchased for this very assignment. Chloe Malle, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for assignment 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assignment
Noun
  • Reforming a broken system in the face of economic hardship and media resistance is a monumental task.
    Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, meanwhile, now faces the task of replacing a veteran head coach who got MVP-level play out of quarterback Dak Prescott in 2023, despite a disappointing past 13 months that fell short of expectations.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Prosecutors allege that ComEd and AT&T Illinois gave out no-work or little-work jobs and contract work to those loyal to Madigan to get legislation passed that would benefit them in Springfield.
    Jim Talamonti | The Center Square contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Vrabel is the favorite to get the job after former head coach Jerod Mayo was fired Sunday after just one season.
    Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Both are ways to share and pass on our beliefs, values, stories, and life lessons.
    Jann E. Freed, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
  • See someone out of control, rather than just a warning, they were given a coupon for rentals or a lesson or just a hot chocolate to go think things over with.
    Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The Republican governor’s appointment of Yenor and four others to the UWF Board of Trustees this week comes two years after DeSantis stacked the board of another public school, New College of Florida, in what critics called a hostile political takeover.
    Kate Payne, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Ten Holder’s appointment comes as the advisory group has been expanding its reach towards finance.
    Angelica Villa, ARTnews.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • There are lots of ways to add a physical element in spot duty if the Jets want to augment Stanley and Lowry in that role or limit Stanley to the press box.
    Murat Ates, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
  • By contrast, Frazier took on the role of outmoded power, compliant duty.
    Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • But finally, seconds into the mission, New Glenn began to climb.
    Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Many agencies’ missions are associated with liberal or progressive causes, and conservatives who favor small government or deregulation have historically expressed frustration about the intransigence or even existence of the federal bureaucracy.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Migrant student struggles On an October afternoon, Perez Guzman’s daughter, Karla, and son, Miguel, took a break from their homework to answer the door.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 7 Jan. 2025
  • At the shelters’ programs for children, volunteers can play with the kids, help them with homework, and engage in other activities to keep them occupied and entertained.
    Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The lab also reported that adults who have poor reading skills tend to live in communities that have fewer resources, and few libraries and bookstores.
    Jasmine Laws, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
  • For full daily and monthly horoscopes as well as expert readings, see our full Horoscopes experience.
    USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near assignment

Cite this Entry

“Assignment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assignment. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on assignment

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