relegate

verb

ˈre-lə-ˌgāt How to pronounce relegate (audio)
Definition of relegatenext
1
as in to banish
to force to leave a country courtiers and generals who incurred the emperor's disfavor were soon relegated to the farther reaches of the empire

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type some psychologists argue that the syndrome should be relegated to a different class of autism

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 And yet it was almost always relegated to the exam room, somewhere with stirrups in sight. —Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025 Now it has been relegated to the realm of wistful articles, added to the glowing funeral pyre of cultural entities—breakfast cereals, bar soap, chain restaurants, and so forth—that Millennials have been accused of abandoning. —Jordan Michelman, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025 Far from being relegated to America’s past, educational inequality is part of our present. —Time, 4 Sep. 2025 Our publishing house has a migrant nature and operates across national borders and for that it is relegated in society. —Uriel Kon september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relegate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relegate
  1. banish
  2. classify
  3. exile
  4. rank
  5. deport
  6. distinguish
  7. categorize
Verb
  • Arafat’s successor, current PA President Mahmoud Abbas, has banished and imprisoned opponents and critics.
    — Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • This tension is only underlined by the filmmakers’ insistence on using pictures of the real Warrens and their demon-banishing clients in the credits of most Conjuring-verse movies.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Definition of banish
Verb
  • Forbes classifies Ellison–who bought nearly all of the Hawaiian island Lanai for $300 million in 2012–as a California resident based on his voter registration.
    — Ella Malmgren, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Arguing that relocation can stem the loss of biodiversity, the government has classified some islands used by Nicobarese tribals as wildlife sanctuaries.
    — M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of classify
Verb
  • Ruthlessly exiling those players sent a clear message about the importance of squad harmony, but arguably handed the leverage in negotiations to buying clubs, driving down their prices and delaying their departures.
    — James McNicholas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Even when convicted or exiled, coup plotters may be later freed.
    — Joe Wright, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of exile
Verb
  • The Charlie Kirk Show, which recorded over 750 episodes and has been ranked in the top 10 of Apple podcasts, is known for conservative takes on politics.
    — Richard Hall, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Kirk, a prominent voice in culture wars on college campuses, hosts a daily radio show and podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show, which ranks among the top 10 on Apple News’ list of top podcasts and has a strong Gen Z fan base.
    — Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of rank
Verb
  • On that June mission, all passengers on board the flotilla were detained off the coast, taken to Israel and later deported.
    — Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The South Korean workers' treatment stands in stark contrast to the experiences of tens of thousands of Mexicans, Venezuelans and Guatemalans who face months in jail-like detention centers before being forcibly deported.
    — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of deport
Verb
  • The Code does not distinguish between voluntary and involuntary expatriation.
    — Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Its data did not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
    — Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of distinguish
Verb
  • Often overlooked and also categorized with fetishism (also known as axilism), armpits are sensitive to both light and firm touch.
    — Essence, Essence, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Planet’s history of volatility, ongoing unprofitability, and fierce competition categorize this as a high-risk, high-reward investment.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of categorize

Browse Nearby Words

releasing
relegate
relegated
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Cite this Entry

“Relegate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relegate. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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