as in dedicating
to keep or intend for a special purpose
the earnings from my second job have been earmarked for a down payment on a car
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 earmarking
In 2016, city voters passed Proposition H, with 64% in favor of the city earmarking tax money for infrastructure repairs.
—
Letters To The Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
The Senate is earmarking $2 million, while the House doesn’t put any money towards the initiative.
—Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
At a time when colleges and universities have spent considerable money on new athletic stadiums, student fitness centers, multi-level food courts, and million-dollar salaries for football and basketball coaches, earmarking money for high quality campus security continues to be problematic.
—Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The process of earmarking potential barrels begins years in advance.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Letters To The Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
The Senate is earmarking $2 million, while the House doesn’t put any money towards the initiative.
—Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
At a time when colleges and universities have spent considerable money on new athletic stadiums, student fitness centers, multi-level food courts, and million-dollar salaries for football and basketball coaches, earmarking money for high quality campus security continues to be problematic.
—Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The process of earmarking potential barrels begins years in advance.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earmarking
Verb
-
The changes are part of an ongoing trend for airlines, which are dedicating more of the scarce real estate on planes to premium seats, as the growth from those higher-end options outpaces sales from regular economy.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Don Philpott, the president of the Wekiva Wilderness Trust, who was recently recognized for dedicating 35,000 hours of volunteering with the Florida Park Service, has spent the last 15 years researching the history of Ethel and the surrounding area.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nothing will ever undo the original sin, and devoting your life to ruining someone else’s is a loss for both of you.—
Paula L. Woods,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Tony has fully jumped into our theatre program devoting himself to straight plays and musical theatre.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Hortas were horrified to learn that Tania Hernandez, the owner of the small house where their friend was going hungry, was a social services worker for the state charged with the mission of saving frail, elderly and disabled adults like Rabell.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Kane County Health Department has partnered with community organizations to install publicly accessible naloxone dispensing boxes, making the life-saving medication easier to obtain quickly and discreetly.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Earmarking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earmarking. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
