pigeonhole Synonyms
Another word for pigeonhole
• verb (Context 1)
To assign someone or something to a restrictive, predetermined category or role, often unfairly or without considering individual complexity.
"Many young actors worry that playing a famous villain early in their career will typecast them for years."
• noun (Context 2)
A rigid, often overly simplistic or restrictive category into which someone or something is assigned.
"Her eclectic musical style refuses to fit neatly into any conventional commercial category."
• noun (Context 3)
A small open compartment or recess in a desk, cabinet, or wall used for sorting and storing letters, documents, or papers.
"The receptionist checked the faculty pigeonholes every morning to distribute the incoming mail."
• verb (Context 4)
To put a document, proposal, or legislative bill aside in order to delay, ignore, or forget about it.
"The committee voted to shelve the controversial infrastructure bill until the next legislative session."
• verb (Context 5)
To place a letter, document, or item into a small sorting compartment.
"The clerk quickly pigeonholed the sorted memoranda according to department."
Opposites of pigeonhole
The opposite of pigeonhole shifts depending on context. Common opposites include: