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
  • The crew members then began preparing for the burn that will send them around the moon.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Shailin sent satellite images of the road and its surroundings to her family members inside Iran.
    Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 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
  • Haley McCutcheon scored two late goals and the Orlando Pride handed Angel City its first loss of the season, 2-1, on Friday night.
    Daily News, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Detectives say Bowen met with another man and handed him a bag that looked like a firearm case.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 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
  • Stricter rules were imposed on documentation required for sponsors, border agents started pressuring unaccompanied children to self-deport before transferring them to shelters and Immigration and Customs Enforcement started arresting some sponsors in the middle of the release process.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
  • At safety, Panthers fans surely shed a tear when true-freshman star Jessiah McGrew transferred to Arizona State.
    Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 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
  • If the pair are Shea’s biological parents, Score and Mills would like to learn more about them — but not necessarily relinquish custody of Shea, Hatfield said.
    Elizabeth Chuck, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
  • In their eyes, the global economy is to blame for their unsatisfactory job prospects, feminism is to blame for their failures with women, minority rights are forcing them to relinquish their privilege as straight men, and so on.
    Miriam Eve Mora, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Consign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consign. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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