Synonym Chooser

How is the word consign distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of consign are commit, confide, entrust, and relegate. While all these words mean "to assign to a person or place for a definite purpose," consign suggests removing from one's control with formality or finality.

consigned the damaging notes to the fire

When is it sensible to use commit instead of consign?

While the synonyms commit and consign are close in meaning, commit may express the general idea of delivering into another's charge or the special sense of transferring to a superior power or to a special place of custody.

committed the felon to prison

When could confide be used to replace consign?

While in some cases nearly identical to consign, confide implies entrusting with great assurance or reliance.

confided complete control of my affairs to my attorney

In what contexts can entrust take the place of consign?

The words entrust and consign are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, entrust implies committing with trust and confidence.

the president is entrusted with broad powers

When would relegate be a good substitute for consign?

The synonyms relegate and consign are sometimes interchangeable, but relegate implies a consigning to a particular class or sphere often with a suggestion of getting rid of.

relegated to an obscure position in the company

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 consign India's burgeoning economy continues to be overwhelmingly powered by fossil fuels including coal, but that dominance will be consigned to the history books by end of this decade, according to the country's central bank. Gaurav Sharma, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 The museum said an unnamed collector bought the work, then consigned it to Adam Williams Fine Art, Ltd., a New York gallery that sold the painting to the museum this year. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 6 Sep. 2024 While our own view is that UFOs, or UAP, emphatically do not represent any truly anomalous physical phenomena such as an extraterrestrial presence, this nevertheless does not consign ufology to insignificance. Luis Cayetano Simmari, Scientific American, 26 Sep. 2024 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has long conjured images of war that Europe thought had been consigned to the history books. Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for consign 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consign
Verb
  • The Hurricanes’ 28-23 loss at Georgia Tech sent them from No. 4 to No. 12.
    Eric Olson, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
  • To showcase these full size MBZ SUV models, this week Mercedes Benz sent me a 2024 GLS with a base window sticker price of $145,850.
    Tony Leopardo, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The callers reported seeing a man armed with a gun fleeing a silver sedan that was left disabled in a parking lot, authorities said.
    Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • The Lakers were already down several bodies in their frontcourt, with Christian Wood (offseason left knee surgery) and Jarred Vanderbilt (offseason feet surgery) sidelined, leaving two-way center Christian Koloko as the only available big man behind Davis.
    Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Optimistically, handing influence over this conference to the UAE, and now Azerbaijan—states whose interests are, in many ways, opposed to its aim—means that leaders who depend on fossil fuels must face the costs of burning them.
    Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Trump has sought to counteract these claims by arguing his donor and ally Musk will be handed control over government resources in order to slash $2 trillion in costs by eliminating entire federal agencies and gutting the government workforce.
    Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Birds who pushed the door to the right were transferred into aviaries where the resident birds were pushing the door on the left and vice versa.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024
  • The woman was transferred to a psychiatric hospital, raising concerns for her safety.
    Hannah Peart, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The abuse victims’ attorneys, however, suggested that not funding the trust immediately would short-change people who had already been victimized by the church, given how the value of that trust could erode with time and inflation.
    Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
  • Two days after the nation’s voters gave Donald Trump another term as president, Gov. Gavin Newsom staged a publicity stunt to position California — and presumably himself — as the epicenter of resistance.
    Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 9 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
    The Week US, theweek, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Los Alamitos Laguna Niguel + Aliso Viejo Rancho Santa Margarita Restaurants Food and Drink Amusement Parks + Disneyland Orange County Register Store Get the latest news delivered daily!
    Orange County Register, Orange County Register, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Trowbridge choosing not to relinquish his premiership keeps Dennison from advancing in government, and is Trowbridge’s commitment to anyone really rock solid?
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
  • Ocean’s marketplace model allows data owners to monetize their information without relinquishing control.
    Tonya Evans, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • For leaders who expect performance excellence, what are Feltman offers tips for communication clarity when delegating a task.
    Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
  • In a novel strategy made possible by new leniencies in campaign finance rules allowing campaigns to coordinate with super PACs and other groups, the Trump campaign has largely delegated voter-turnout efforts.
    Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near consign

Cite this Entry

“Consign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consign. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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