Synonym Chooser

How is the word relegate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of relegate are commit, confide, consign, and entrust. While all these words mean "to assign to a person or place for a definite purpose," 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

Where would commit be a reasonable alternative to relegate?

While in some cases nearly identical to relegate, 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 is it sensible to use confide instead of relegate?

Although the words confide and relegate have much in common, confide implies entrusting with great assurance or reliance.

confided complete control of my affairs to my attorney

When could consign be used to replace relegate?

In some situations, the words consign and relegate are roughly equivalent. However, consign suggests removing from one's control with formality or finality.

consigned the damaging notes to the fire

When might entrust be a better fit than relegate?

While the synonyms entrust and relegate are close in meaning, entrust implies committing with trust and confidence.

the president is entrusted with broad powers

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 relegate Brown lost a close competition to Kyle McCord in 2023 and was relegated to the back seat again when the Buckeyes brought in Kansas State transfer Will Howard for 2024. Ryan Morik, Fox News, 21 Jan. 2025 Winners were repeated at sister parks and losers were relegated to the scrap heap of history. Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register, 20 Jan. 2025 Without that, you'd be relegated to insignificance. John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025 When the department returned to the office in July 2022, Bohn relegated Bell Limbrick to an office in Galen Center, far away from other department officials. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for relegate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relegate
Verb
  • The Drag Queen was the first traitor to be caught and banished by the faithfuls.
    Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
  • For instance, long runs that might have once banished you to the couch for the rest of the weekend should eventually start to feel more routine.
    Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • An atomic wedgie is classified as one in which a person's underwear is pulled above the victim's head or higher.
    Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 31 Jan. 2025
  • The movement was classified by periodic pulses, or bursts of mobility that lasted for one to two hours.
    Julianna Bragg, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Around 70 are being exiled abroad as part of the agreement and will not be allowed to return to their homes in the West Bank and Jerusalem, according to a list provided by the Palestinian authorities.
    Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The cease-fire agreement says all Palestinian prisoners convicted of deadly attacks who are released will be exiled, either to Gaza or abroad, and barred from ever returning to Israel or the West Bank.
    Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Gem State ranked second overall, behind Kansas.
    Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 26 Jan. 2025
  • The 15 best Super Bowl halftime shows, ranked Super Bowl LIX airs on Sunday, Feb. 9 on Fox and streams on Fubo and the Fox Sports app.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Deportations One of Trump’s most prominent campaign planks was the promise to deport millions of immigrants living in the country without authorization.
    Mike Lillis, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Chief among will be declaring a national emergency to expedite his promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Most immigrants without legal status in the state, about 2.4 million people, have resided here for more than a decade, a factor that distinguishes California from other parts of the country.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
  • These personal touches are what distinguishes your space turns the house into a home.
    Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Just one vote separated Ichiro Suzuki from being a unanimous Hall of Famer.
    Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Production eventually separated the two women and booked a room in a nearby hotel for Hassan to stay in for the night.
    Esther Kang, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Trump already signed an executive order proclaiming that all people must be categorized as either men or women, a move that could pave the way to widespread discriminatory practices against transgender and non-binary people.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2025
  • The galleries are categorized according to three themes — religion, kingship, and society — and divided into historical eras: Predynastic, the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, the Late Kingdom, Ptolemaic (Greek) Egypt, and the Roman period.
    Kate McMahon, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near relegate

Cite this Entry

“Relegate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relegate. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on relegate

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