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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 pigeonhole
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
What emerged was a portrait of a deeply serious scholar, and one not easily pigeonholed, although, of course, the Trump campaign has been doing its best to weaponize his academic work and to associate his daughter with it, too, despite their distant relationship.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 2 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
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
What emerged was a portrait of a deeply serious scholar, and one not easily pigeonholed, although, of course, the Trump campaign has been doing its best to weaponize his academic work and to associate his daughter with it, too, despite their distant relationship.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 2 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
-
One particle of smoke is categorized as PM2.5, and these pollutants often derive from the combustion of gasoline, oil, diesel fuel and wood.Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2024
-
Data on physical activity and sedentary behavior were collected and categorized as moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, light physical activity, sedentary behavior.New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Several studies have even been conducted around their old blocks and their wines are classified as some of the most peppery in the world.Elycia Rubin, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024
-
Getty Images In these cases, the offense would be classified as a felony, and would be punishable by a term of imprisonment of no more than five years, a fine of up to $250,000, or $500,000 in the case of a corporation, or both.Eamon Javers, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The intrigue: The trend over the last few months has been a slow but steady return to the land of cubicles, watercooler chitchat and harsh fluorescent lighting.Joe Guillen, Axios, 9 Dec. 2024
-
One source told The Republic that security rarely conducted checks between cubicles during their patrols.Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 25 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
This culinary style, so deeply rooted in the history of our city, had been relegated to a kind of purgatory.Elise Taylor, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2024
-
Elle Fanning is Sylvie Russo, a muse who politically activates Dylan at a key moment; the moniker may be different, but a Suze (Rotolo) by any other name smells just as sweet, and Fanning fleshes out a woman who’s too often been relegated to a footnote in Bob’s saga.David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
In addition to loving the shape, its plethora of nifty compartments are the true stars.Ali Faccenda, Travel + Leisure, 14 Dec. 2024
-
Ozark Trail Belt Bag This belt bag comes with a fully adjustable waist strap to double as a crossbody, a buckle closure, and three zippered compartments: a main one, a pocket in the front, and a stash pocket in the back for essentials.Kelsey Fredricks, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Then the pilots flew over the Río de la Plata, the wide estuary separating Argentina and Uruguay.Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
-
Emotions cooled after that, but season 47 finished strong with the signature moment of Operation: Italy, followed by a stellar penultimate episode in which separating fact from fiction never appeared harder.Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Look for engaged listenership, consistent quality and hosts with credibility in your niche.Expert Panel®, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
-
Some themes build on current trends in the market; others are plucked from consumers’ niche interests.Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 5 Dec. 2024
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 20 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share