Synonyms of assignment

assignment

noun

ə-ˈsīn-mənt 

1

as in task

a piece of work that needs to be done regularly

his first newspaper assignment was writing obituaries

Synonyms & Similar Words

• task
• job
• duty
• project
• mission
• chore
• function
• responsibility
• post
• office
• operation
• endeavor
• undertaking
• errand
• stint
• enterprise
• commission
• care
• route
• chare
• charge
• circuit
• round

2

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

• job
• mission
• duty
• responsibility
• operation
• post
• requirement
• brief
• obligation
• detail
• business
• office
• charge
• work
• burden
• need
• commitment
• promise
• errand
• labor
• designation
• chore
• appointment
• commission
• nomination
• pledge
• constraint
• restraint
• compulsion

3

as in lesson

something assigned to be read or studied

have you read the assignment for tomorrow?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lesson
• homework
• reading
• lecture
• exercise
• study
• schoolwork
• practice
• drill
• étude

4

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

• appointment
• job
• designation
• commission
• election
• nomination
• position
• situation
• office
• placement
• gig
• station
• delegation
• induction
• authorization
• spot
• ranking
• billet
• installment
• investment
• installation
• choice
• destination
• place
• emplacement
• selection
• ordination
• deputation
• choosing
• picking
• investiture
• anointing
• anointment
• instating
• singling (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dismissal
• discharge
• firing
• expulsion
• rejection
• removal
• dismission
• deposition
• eviction
• ejection
• overthrow
• ouster
• blackball
• dethronement

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

Recent Examples of assignment

The deputies were placed on administrative assignment during the Internal Affairs investigation, which concluded in September. —Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026

If Domínguez needs an IL stint, the Yankees could wait until Friday to activate Anthony Volpe from his rehab assignment. —Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026

Seat assignments will not be known until tickets are picked up at the box office on the day of the concert. —Katie Simons, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026

The wreckage belonged to La Minerve, a French submarine that plunged to its demise in 1968 with 52 navy crew on board, only four minutes after the start of a routine assignment. —CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026