Definition of consignnext

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 The Real Real There are three different ways to consign with The Real Real. Alexis Bennett, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026 Thankfully, city officials—prodded by tenants and small-business owners, clergy and homeowners, and, yes, some landlords—rejected advice to consign neighborhoods such as East Flatbush to history’s dustbin. Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026 Now, the 200-acre grounds are transformed into a massive automotive showcase with 900,000 square feet of tents that house thousands of vehicles consigned for auction. Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026 Timing and fate would crown some of the climbers with success and consign others to the coldest of graves. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for consign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consign
Verb
  • Now with advanced life support, these new services can send the patient's medical status to the hospital immediately and allow crews to respond to these calls much faster.
    Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Traffic through the strait has fallen by 90% since the start of the Iran war, sending global oil prices skyrocketing and inflicting alarming shortages on the Asian nations that get their oil from Persian Gulf countries via the strait.
    David McHugh, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • These learnings now sit at the foundation of the Buahan concept and not only ensure that the hotel leaves a positive impact on the community, but also provide guests a level of immersion into the Balinese way of life that few other hotels of this caliber have managed to deliver.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
  • That leaves a sicker, older, more expensive pool of enrollees, which pushes up premiums for everyone.
    Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The group was flown to Poland and transported to the Ukrainian border by US officials who then handed them over to Polish officials who escorted them across the border.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
  • But passengers cannot just hand individual officers cash.
    Emma Hurt, AJC.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Her power expanded further when she was entrusted with managing the oil sector following corruption scandals that brought down senior figures.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The problem is not that Los Angeles cares too little about education; the problem is the unmanageable and underperforming bureaucracy to which delivering education has been entrusted.
    Daniel L Gordon, Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • After being placed in the trunk of Aaron's car, she was driven for a bit, transferred to the trunk of another car, and driven for hours.
    Lauren Clark, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The maps were never used, because Shakur was transferred from West Virginia to a prison in New Jersey.
    Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • With its latest app update, American is now giving customers a fuller explanation behind every delay and cancellation.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Another version used the bubble-wand photo to give Graham a pink Cinderella-style dress and a set of Mini Mouse ears, complete with perky red bow.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The other standout was the breakfast basket that gets delivered like clockwork to your room each morning, including fresh pastries, muesli, fruit, yogurt, eggs, coffee, and juice.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Jaime, who had on a yellow reflective vest and a helmet, held up his phone near his supervisor’s and, courtesy of the FarEye app, instantly received the coördinates for the packages—a total of forty-five—he’d be delivering.
    Henry Alford, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The United States has offered Iran a 15-point proposal for a ceasefire that includes it relinquishing control of the strait, but at the same time has ordered thousands more troops to the region — possibly in preparation for a military attempt to wrest the waterway from Iran.
    David Rising, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Bohm’s lawsuit demands at least $3 million in damages and that his parents relinquish control of the accounts.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Consign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consign. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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