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

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 consign After Trump signed the final legislation on Friday afternoon, the hedge-fund and private-equity managers could return to their July 4th pool parties and fireworks displays secure in the knowledge that yet another Administration had failed to consign this lamentable loophole to history. John Cassidy, New Yorker, 7 July 2025 That seems to have been consigned to history, along with his all-too-brief stint in Lisbon. Liam Twomey, New York Times, 28 June 2025 The movie is too relevant to be consigned to a time capsule. Steve Dollar, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025 What the world needs now, many Burt Bacharach fans can agree, is for that deep catalog of songs to not be consigned to history. Chris Willman, Variety, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for consign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consign
Verb
  • In response, outgoing chairman of Nissan Americas Jeremie Papin confirmed that the company backed away from its DEI policy in a letter sent to employees on Dec. 18, Bloomberg reported.
    Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
  • His aghast reactions to United conceding goals or losing games regularly send him viral on social media.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Detroit doesn’t need recycled ideas or the same politics that have left too many neighborhoods behind.
    Dana Afana, Freep.com, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Sunglasses and water bottles were strung out around campus during the chaos, leaving a crowded, makeshift lost and found table.
    Shane Brennan, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The non-profit news outlet The City reported the encounter late Wednesday, Aug. 20, a few hours after Winnie Greco allegedly handed an open bag of Herr's sour cream and onion rippled potato chips to journalist Katie Honan following a Harlem campaign event.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Wash hands thoroughly after handling reptiles, and change clothes before picking up a child.
    John Drake, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Berger notes that, under the rule, a student’s ability to transfer to a new school in the first year of a program or to another graduation program will become limited.
    Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • When in a group, space out to prevent the current from transferring between individuals.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Osaka, still in her prime, gave birth in 2023 and returned in 2024.
    Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Business outlet TheStreet reported that stores had been given a grace period to implement the change that ends Aug. 31.
    James Powel, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Fed's wild west dilemma Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to deliver a keynote address Friday at the central bank’s annual conference.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Each bite of this classic comfort food delivers taste and textural elements that perfectly compliment each other.
    Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Jones is not relinquishing his strong negotiating position Jones and Parsons would meet in March to discuss the linebacker’s role on the team going forward.
    Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2025
  • While a strong federal government may be central to the Democratic Party's identity, maintaining that objective likely requires relinquishing control from the capital and encouraging state politicos to explore new ways to achieve success.
    Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • For instance, workers who use AI to learn about topics or validate their work once completed seem less susceptible to being replaced than those who are asked to delegate entire tasks to AI.
    Andrew R. Chow, Time, 26 Aug. 2025
  • However, not delegating decision-making creates a hidden... Laura is the VP of product at a fast-growing software company.
    Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 25 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Consign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consign. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

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