as in dedicating
to keep or intend for a special purpose
the earnings from my second job have been earmarked for a down payment on a car
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Recent Examples of earmarking
The legislation passed with broad bipartisan support in the Senate, but some Republicans rejected the bill, opposing earmarking millions more to maintain the fortified Capitol and equip it with the staff necessary to keep the screenings going.
—
Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
In 2016, city voters passed Proposition H, with 64% in favor of the city earmarking tax money for infrastructure repairs.
—Letters To The Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
The Senate is earmarking $2 million, while the House doesn’t put any money towards the initiative.
—Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
At a time when colleges and universities have spent considerable money on new athletic stadiums, student fitness centers, multi-level food courts, and million-dollar salaries for football and basketball coaches, earmarking money for high quality campus security continues to be problematic.
—Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The process of earmarking potential barrels begins years in advance.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
In 2016, city voters passed Proposition H, with 64% in favor of the city earmarking tax money for infrastructure repairs.
—Letters To The Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
The Senate is earmarking $2 million, while the House doesn’t put any money towards the initiative.
—Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
At a time when colleges and universities have spent considerable money on new athletic stadiums, student fitness centers, multi-level food courts, and million-dollar salaries for football and basketball coaches, earmarking money for high quality campus security continues to be problematic.
—Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The process of earmarking potential barrels begins years in advance.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earmarking
Verb
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Inspired by the way a cloud drifts on to hover over somewhere new, head chef Jens Madsen creates a seasonal menu, dedicating each year to the flavors of a specific region.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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At his Heisman Trophy ceremony in December, Fernando Mendoza shouted out his mother, dedicating the award to her.—
Mason Leib,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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By the 1970s, editors tried to distinguish their op-ed pages from others, but most adopted the common practice of devoting most, if not all, of their op-ed pages to outside voices.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
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Nothing will ever undo the original sin, and devoting your life to ruining someone else’s is a loss for both of you.—
Paula L. Woods,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Lifetime habits of saving and cautious spending are hard to break.—
Terry Savage,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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Skipping payments is not an unintentional consequence of saving for debt settlement, though.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Earmarking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earmarking. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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