ASSIGN Synonyms: 146 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'assign' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of assign are ascribe , attribute , credit , and impute . While all these words mean "to lay something to the account of a person or thing," assign implies ascribing with certainty or after deliberation. // assigned the bones to the Cretaceous period

Q: In what contexts can 'ascribe' take the place of 'assign'?

The synonyms ascribe and assign are sometimes interchangeable, but ascribe suggests an inferring or conjecturing of cause, quality, authorship. // forged paintings formerly ascribed to masters

Q: How is 'attribute' related to other words for 'assign'?

Attribute suggests less tentativeness than ascribe , less definiteness than assign . // attributed to Rembrandt but possibly done by an associate

Q: Where would 'credit' be a reasonable alternative to 'assign'?

In some situations, the words credit and assign are roughly equivalent. However, credit implies ascribing a thing or especially an action to a person or other thing as its agent, source, or explanation. // credited his teammates for his success

Q: When is it sensible to use 'impute' instead of 'assign'?

While in some cases nearly identical to assign , impute suggests ascribing something that brings discredit by way of accusation or blame. // tried to impute sinister motives to my actions

assign

verb

ə-ˈsīn

Definition of assign

as in to task

to give a task, duty, or responsibility to assigned the class with the task of finding something in the state constitution they felt needed changing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to allot

to give as a share or portion each new employee is assigned a cubicle and a computer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to cede

to give over the legal possession or ownership of assigned all rights to and royalties from the song to the Boy Scouts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

expropriate

as in to appoint

to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty the mayor assigned the panel with the task of luring a major sports franchise to the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word assign different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of assign are ascribe, attribute, credit, and impute. While all these words mean "to lay something to the account of a person or thing," assign implies ascribing with certainty or after deliberation.

assigned the bones to the Cretaceous period

In what contexts can ascribe take the place of assign?

The synonyms ascribe and assign are sometimes interchangeable, but ascribe suggests an inferring or conjecturing of cause, quality, authorship.

forged paintings formerly ascribed to masters

How is attribute related to other words for assign?

Attribute suggests less tentativeness than ascribe, less definiteness than assign.

attributed to Rembrandt but possibly done by an associate

Where would credit be a reasonable alternative to assign?

In some situations, the words credit and assign are roughly equivalent. However, credit implies ascribing a thing or especially an action to a person or other thing as its agent, source, or explanation.

credited his teammates for his success

When is it sensible to use impute instead of assign?

While in some cases nearly identical to assign, impute suggests ascribing something that brings discredit by way of accusation or blame.

tried to impute sinister motives to my actions

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 assign Every camper is assigned a day to prep, cook and serve vegetarian meals to other campers and staff, which also involves washing dishes and cleanup. — Savita Patel, Mercury News, 26 July 2026 Homeowners have done so previously, and got no relief other than an election monitor assigned to count ballots at last month’s HOA board election. — Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026 Two troopers a day are assigned to patrol CTfastrak, but Higgins announced that they’ll now be supplemented by high-visibility patrols from the Hartford Troop H barracks. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026 More than 1,200 crew members are assigned to the fire, according to Cal Fire’s Saturday morning report. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for assign

Recent Examples of Synonyms for assign

Verb

Turning the tide Klopp will be tasked with getting Germany back among the world’s best international teams.

— Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Even if many of the parties form coalitions as the electoral law encourages, the electoral council is still tasked with vetting, accrediting and overseeing potentially thousands of election day monitors while ensuring the integrity of the vote.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026

Definition of task

Verb

And then another and another, nearly doubling the time allotted, thrilled to be exploring the connections between past and present.

— Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
The salary structure was also updated in the new CBA, changing how teams can allot their caps.

— Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of allot

Verb

Shanahan, 46, will cede head coaching responsibilities to assistant coach and offensive line guru Chris Foerster, 64, as training camp begins, the team announced Saturday.

— Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 25 July 2026
Before a calf injury hit in Week 4, Hubbard was already ceding work to Rico Dowdle and approaching a 50/50 split.

— Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026

Definition of cede

Verb

After his final deployment, he was appointed director of Missouri’s Show-Me Heroes program, a workforce development partnership between the Missouri National Guard, the governor’s office and the Missouri Division of Workforce Development.

— Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
Williams, who appointed Vignati as the organization’s music director and principal conductor just over a year ago, expressed confidence in Opera Carolina’s future.

— Catherine Muccigrosso July 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026

Definition of appoint

Verb

It was enabled by those most entrusted to prevent it, acting in the belief that the cause required continuity.

— Michael Sonnenfeldt, Fortune, 19 July 2026
But a new watchdog memo raises serious questions about whether the private contractors entrusted with that work are adequately protecting taxpayer information.

— Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of entrust

Verb

Without it, companies are flying blind when allocating work between people and agents, and that’s why most AI investments aren’t paying off.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Expanding 911 services is part of a larger strategy to beef up city services, with $15 million in settlement funds allocated so far, according to Sara Whaley, Baltimore's director of overdose response.

— Scott Maucione, NPR, 27 July 2026

Definition of allocate

Verb

Another person later died after being transferred to a local hospital, officials said during a press conference.

— Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 27 July 2026
Thomas County Central quarterback Aidan McPherson’s successful appeal for eligibility after his transfer from Rome was big news this week, but McPherson is hardly the only big-name player who has transferred this offseason.

— Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of transfer

Verb

The film was nominated for five Oscars, with Angela Bassett’s nomination for best supporting actress marking the first time any actor in a Marvel film was nominated for an Academy Award.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 26 July 2026
Authorized by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Opportunity Zones are economically distressed communities nominated by states and certified by the Treasury Department.

— Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 26 July 2026

Definition of nominate

Cite this Entry

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“Assign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assign. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of assign

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