assignment

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as in lesson
something assigned to be read or studied have you read the assignment for tomorrow?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun assignment contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of assignment are chore, duty, job, stint, and task. While all these words mean "a piece of work to be done," assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.

a reporter's assignment

When is it sensible to use chore instead of assignment?

While the synonyms chore and assignment are close in meaning, chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.

every child was assigned chores

When is duty a more appropriate choice than assignment?

Although the words duty and assignment have much in common, duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.

the duties of a lifeguard

When might job be a better fit than assignment?

The synonyms job and assignment are sometimes interchangeable, but job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance.

the job of turning the company around

When could stint be used to replace assignment?

In some situations, the words stint and assignment are roughly equivalent. However, stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.

a 2-month stint as a reporter

When can task be used instead of assignment?

The meanings of task and assignment largely overlap; however, task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance.

charged with a variety of tasks

Examples 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 assignment Harriet Ramos | Breaking news reporter Harriet covers crime and other breaking news, as well as a variety of general assignment topics. Amanda McCoy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2025 The fire was large, but remained a one-alarm assignment, according to the Facebook post. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2025 The Starship Troopers actress is afraid of heights and was even called out by her instructors for always being terrified about the extreme assignments that she and the other celebrity recruits were given. EW.com, 11 Jan. 2025 The true work comes with integrating them into the organization quickly and effectively and continuing to provide the appropriate support over the first 12-18 of the executive’s new assignment. Andrew Block, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for assignment 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assignment
Noun
  • Given the importance and difficulty of the job, McConnell said he wasn’t convinced that Hegseth had proven himself up to the task of following in the footsteps of men such as George Marshall, Caspar Weinberger, or Robert Gates.
    Elaine Mallon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Jan. 2025
  • As temperatures climbed above freezing across much of the Southern United States Thursday, Americans from Texas to New Orleans faced the daunting task of cleaning up from a deadly storm that dropped unprecedented snow totals on the region.
    Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The number of people who believe the agency is doing an excellent or even a good job has plunged dramatically compared with last year, falling by 23 points.
    John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Then the biggest thing over the last couple months in Santa Cruz is the staff there did a great job of working him defensively.
    Anthony Slater, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Final Thoughts The cannabis industry’s experience provides a valuable lesson: good intentions are not enough.
    Summer Westerbur, Rolling Stone, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Keeping a good home, working hard, being grateful, and loving those around her were lessons carried from growing up with Abuela.
    Zayda Rivera, Parents, 27 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The American Civil Liberties Union sued Monday night over the birthright citizenship order and submitted a legal filing in an ongoing case over the cancellation of appointments for asylum seekers at the border.
    Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Outside of Trump's Cabinet, some of Trump's other appointments who will work alongside him in the White House may have been impacted by the potential changes to birthright citizenship.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • There are lots of ways to add a physical element in spot duty if the Jets want to augment Stanley and Lowry in that role or limit Stanley to the press box.
    Murat Ates, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
  • By contrast, Frazier took on the role of outmoded power, compliant duty.
    Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Elon Musk’s company won contracts in 2021 and 2022 to develop a Starship human landing system—a lunar lander modeled on its Starship spaceship—for NASA’s Artemis III and IV missions.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
  • But finally, seconds into the mission, New Glenn began to climb.
    Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • These moments can include getting ready to leave the house, or shifting from playtime to homework.
    ​Wendy Wisner, Parents, 21 Jan. 2025
  • The truth is Rae has been doing her homework, studying her idols down to their smallest moves.
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Wen: Doctors diagnose hypertension through readings taken from a blood pressure cuff.
    Katia Hetter, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Many fans felt like reading was out of place, inappropriate, or a distraction.
    Kevin Kruse, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near assignment

Cite this Entry

“Assignment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assignment. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on assignment

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