ASSIGNMENT Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

assignment

noun

ə-ˈsīn-mənt

Definition of assignment

as in task

a piece of work that needs to be done regularly his first newspaper assignment was writing obituaries

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in job

a specific task with which a person or group is charged the spy team's assignment was to steal the plans for the nuclear reactor

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in lesson

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in appointment

the state or fact of being chosen for a position or duty her assignment to the board of directors was a point of considerable pride for her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 assignment Before the game, the Cardinals designated reliever Caleb Ferguson for assignment and recalled Mautz. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 The first depicted Joe at a government NAV office, while the following two tracked his search for the missing assignment. — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 Worth noting Bryce Eldridge returned from the bereavement list, and infielder Buddy Kennedy was designated for assignment. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026 Sadly, that assignment never came, and Dolly has always been the one who got away. — Corey Dubrowa, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assignment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for assignment

Noun

Bond yields Persistent inflation, tariffs and whipsawing gas prices are not the only obstacles complicating the task for the Fed.

— Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
Assign the task, organize the space, or clarify the expectation.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of task

Noun

This was the first life lesson Dolly Parton delivered in her earliest appearance on Hannah Montana as the ebullient Aunt Dolly.

— Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
In fact, one lesson of these novels seemed to be that American girls were loveable in much the same way that America’s past was—as an ideal.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of lesson

Noun

The announcement followed Tilbury’s 2022 appointment as the trust’s ambassador for enterprise and coincided with its 50th anniversary gala, held in New York.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
He was then succeeded by Jorg Schmadtke a year later, who was employed on a short-term basis ahead of Richard Hughes’s appointment in 2024.

— Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of appointment

Noun

Harry and Meghan are returning to the UK as private citizens and will not be resuming any official duties on behalf of King Charles III.

— Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
There is little for police to do besides offer condolences, ask questions and carry out their legal duty to confirm the parents did nothing that constitutes a crime in Idaho.

— Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of duty

Noun

Over the course of its five-year mission, the Roman telescope will capture images of the Milky Way, survey the entire sky and observe supernova explosions that occurred as far as 8 billion years ago.

— Josh Feldman, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
The Boxer can support amphibious operations and aviation missions from its expansive flight deck.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of mission

Browse Nearby Words

assigning

assignment

assignments

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Assignment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assignment. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of assignment

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes