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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of pigeonhole
Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2024
Friendship has given them the chance to explore on stage new facets of themselves as actors who refuse to be pigeonholed.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024
Both Los Angeles and Mexico City have dining ecosystems too vast to pigeonhole; flashy glamour will always be part of them.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for pigeonhole 
Verb
However, expanding his musical perimeters fits with Bryan’s own desire to not be pigeonholed as primarily a country artist but instead a songwriter.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2024
Friendship has given them the chance to explore on stage new facets of themselves as actors who refuse to be pigeonholed.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
Much like Chambers is indelibly linked to funk and fusion, White tends to be pigeonhole as a fusion patriarch.
—Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024
Both Los Angeles and Mexico City have dining ecosystems too vast to pigeonhole; flashy glamour will always be part of them.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for pigeonhole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pigeonhole
Verb
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To categorize these words as solely Gen Z or Gen Alpha slang misrepresents their history, and over-simplifies the way in which language evolves and grows.Kara Nesvig, Parents, 15 Jan. 2025
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Buildings with more than 50% destruction are categorized as destroyed.Yoonserk Pyun, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Isle of Gelato: A cubbyhole of a place on Pedlar Street sells artisanal ice creams, including vegan recipes, that have amassed quite a following.Prasad Ramamurthy, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2024
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Once removed from their cubbyhole, the bits can be inserted in one of two hexagonal driver holes.Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 17 July 2024
Verb
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Not a nor'easter Monday's snowstorm will not be classified as a classic nor'easter, Taylor said, which are some of the most infamous winter storms for East Coasters.Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
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And our findings have broader implications for how species are classified and protected under conservation laws.Andre A. Naranjo, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Pictured above with his cubicle partner Jet Set, but his real comedy partner was his wife Diane.Liza Esquibias, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
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There’s a serene sculpting room for clay heads and fibreglass bodies; a steampunk-ish mold shop; cubicles for hairstyling and coloring which evoke an old-fashioned beauty salon; and a 3-D-printing room for accessories.Zach Zimmerman, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Without that, you'd be relegated to insignificance.John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
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When the department returned to the office in July 2022, Bohn relegated Bell Limbrick to an office in Galen Center, far away from other department officials.Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Art Kit: Separate brushes and paint tubes in the top compartments; notepads and larger supplies fit snugly in the bottom.Kelly Roberson, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2025
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This spacious bag has a separate zippered shoe compartment at the bottom for two pairs of shoes, three large wet pockets to separate toiletries and wet clothes, and two inner slip pockets perfect for wallets, small notebooks, or accessories.Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
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French Press: The French press is a pot with that steeps the coffee grounds before separating it with a plunger.Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2025
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To put it in simplest terms, quadrants are a way to separate and weigh games depending on where they were played, who they were played against, and the expected winning percentage against an opponent’s NET ranking.Mark Schindler, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The property and casualty insurance also caters to higher-margin, niche areas where demand is rising.Trefis Team, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
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Meanwhile, explicitly political media operations such as the Daily Wire and Babylon Bee will continue to get attention, while niche producers like Angel Studios will keep feeding their audiences with conservative-leaning and faith-based material.Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to pigeonhole
Thesaurus Entries Near pigeonhole
Cite this Entry
“Pigeonhole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pigeonhole. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
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