as in categorized
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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Recent Examples of pigeonholed
Hamill could not always avoid being pigeonholed.
—
Sanat Pai Raikar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Mar. 2026
Executives had pigeonholed her as a rom-com queen.
—New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026
At 46, Kate Hudson has secured a Best Actress Oscar nomination for Song Sung Blue, marking a dramatic career shift 25 years after her first nomination and years of being pigeonholed as Hollywood’s rom-com leading lady.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
Seattle’s assimilation of so many players that had previously been underestimated or counted out or pigeonholed, though — starting with former Jets first-round quarterback Sam Darnold — into such a dominant whole is rare.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
But Burns doesn’t want to be pigeonholed into that description.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 15 Jan. 2026
Women, on the other hand, especially those in the limelight, are frequently pigeonholed into being the face of the brand or the marketing tool.
—Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
There is a part of me that didn’t want to be pigeonholed.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
That’s hardly the only time Davis has been pigeonholed in her career.
—Galina Espinoza, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2025
Sanat Pai Raikar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Mar. 2026
Executives had pigeonholed her as a rom-com queen.
—New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026
At 46, Kate Hudson has secured a Best Actress Oscar nomination for Song Sung Blue, marking a dramatic career shift 25 years after her first nomination and years of being pigeonholed as Hollywood’s rom-com leading lady.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
Seattle’s assimilation of so many players that had previously been underestimated or counted out or pigeonholed, though — starting with former Jets first-round quarterback Sam Darnold — into such a dominant whole is rare.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
But Burns doesn’t want to be pigeonholed into that description.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 15 Jan. 2026
Women, on the other hand, especially those in the limelight, are frequently pigeonholed into being the face of the brand or the marketing tool.
—Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
There is a part of me that didn’t want to be pigeonholed.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
That’s hardly the only time Davis has been pigeonholed in her career.
—Galina Espinoza, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pigeonholed
Verb
-
The Western musical tradition is mostly sidelined in favor of kuduro, gqom, batida, and sounds too free of familiar musical idioms to be easily categorized.—
Will Lynch,
Pitchfork,
11 May 2026
-
It should have been categorized as a suspicious death and treated as such.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Previously, weed was classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act by the National Conference of State Legislatures.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
-
Another pretty village is Les Riceys, with three churches, all of which are classified as historical monuments.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The Cardigan Once relegated to the back of office chairs as a precautionary layer, the cardigan has firmly reestablished itself as a key component of the modern work wardrobe.—
Lauren Fisher,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
-
Crab Man has since been relegated to a cardboard box in Hardinge’s office.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
This is the most powerful story about two Korean sisters separated during Japanese occupation in WW2—Hana is taken to Japan and forced to become a comfort woman, meanwhile Emi left behind grows up and spends her life searching for her lost sister.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
The concept would involve buses traveling between 80 and 140 miles per hour in dedicated lanes separated from regular freeway traffic.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Blue Jay The blue jay is easily identified by its flamboyant personality, bold blue feathers, and size.—
Christopher Gangemi,
New Yorker,
21 May 2026
-
Two high school students killed in a fiery Sunday crash near Rancho Murieta were identified by family and friends.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pigeonholed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pigeonholed. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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