pigeonhole

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“If we embrace narrow group-based identities too fiercely, we cling to the very cages in which others would seek to trap us. We pigeonhole ourselves.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026

Regarding, Laura's edit: The show needs a villain, and in many instances, they try to pigeonhole someone who doesn't, in any way, fit those criteria.

From Salon • May 22, 2024

“It’s very unfair to pigeonhole anybody. People see like these big NFL players and they say ‘Do your one job, tackle somebody or run that route.’

From Seattle Times • Sep. 5, 2023

For those who want to pigeonhole Kate Hoey's politics, this interview may well prove frustrating.

From BBC • Aug. 9, 2023

This bit of common sense, sometimes termed the pigeonhole or Dirichlet drawer principle, can occasionally be used to derive claims that are not so obvious.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos