Relegate-Delegate | Commonly Confused Words
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Master confusing words with ease

Relegate vs. Delegate

Relegate

/ˈreləɡeɪt/
To assign a lower rank or position to someone or something.

Examples:

She was relegated to the margins of the discussion.The team was relegated after a series of defeats.He relegated the old reports to the storage room.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Delegate

/ˈdeləɡət/
A person chosen to represent others, especially at a conference or meeting

Examples:

But consider—you need not be afraid of delegating power to me.The family had delegated him to protect his niece's reputation.Eliminate before you delegate.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Relegate often involves a demotion or lowering of status, think of re as in reduce.
  • Delegate involves assigning tasks or authority to someone else, think of d as in divide and distribute.
  • To remember: relegate moves down, delegate moves outwards to others.
  • Relegate suggests less importance, delegate empowers someone else.
  • Relinquishing responsibility to someone else can be delegating authority or relegating to a lesser role, context is key.
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