as in nickname
a descriptive or familiar name given instead of or in addition to the one belonging to an individual
Thomas Edward Lawrence is better known to most people by his byname, Lawrence of Arabia
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of byname
Robert the Wise was a good teacher — and, as his byname suggests, a good role model.
—
Anne Thériault, Longreads, 3 July 2018
Anne Thériault, Longreads, 3 July 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for byname
Noun
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Never underestimate the power of a cute nickname to change hearts and minds.—
Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Apr. 2026
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But my favorite Commanders selection was Allen, a durable and powerful runner with good vision and one of the finest nicknames in sports.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Such hospitality was reserved for a narrow category of humanity, resembling as closely as possible those local barons whose surnames crusted the stones of local cemeteries.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
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The three-judge panel found no abuse of discretion, noting that throughout three decades of living under Woods' identity, Keirans hid his true identity from his wife and gave his child Woods' surname.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The moral decay of Karensville might as well be Charlottesville and the epithet-spewing McLeoud behaves too much like myriad red-state lawmen for comfort.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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But the singer has often said that his time in the group was an education in both music and prejudice, with audiences cheering on the band during performances, and then hurling punches and racial epithets after their shows.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The hotel’s pretty-in-pink Spanish-Mediterranean façade has been a Southern California fixture for 100 years, since earning the moniker The Pink Lady.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
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Route 66 has been called America’s Main Street, a moniker that fuels nostalgics who like to talk about simpler times and good days gone by.—
Jonathan Bullington,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Byname.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/byname. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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