1
as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
Mom's favorite byword is "You can get more flies with honey than with vinegar"
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2
as in classic
the most perfect type or example
nationally, Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive has become a byword for luxury retailing
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of byword
Before 2022, Ukraine was a byword for corruption: a resource-rich klepto-state in the no-man’s land between the EU and Russia.
—
Dominic Green, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
To some initial consternation, a Texan actor named Renée Zellweger is cast as the UK’s essential heroine, a character who, by then, is already globally understood to be a byword for contemporary, cosmopolitan womanhood.
—Hugh Grant, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
West Ham, Prague aside, have become a byword for underachievement.
—Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
Over the past five years, El Salvador has gone from a byword for dysfunction in American politics to a potential model for some, particularly for those on the Right.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for byword
Dominic Green, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
To some initial consternation, a Texan actor named Renée Zellweger is cast as the UK’s essential heroine, a character who, by then, is already globally understood to be a byword for contemporary, cosmopolitan womanhood.
—Hugh Grant, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
West Ham, Prague aside, have become a byword for underachievement.
—Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
Over the past five years, El Salvador has gone from a byword for dysfunction in American politics to a potential model for some, particularly for those on the Right.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for byword
Recent Examples of Synonyms for byword
Noun
-
Nobody plots against anyone, but nobody invokes ancient proverbs, either.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
-
As the Chinese proverb suggests, U.S. tariffs aimed at Beijing have tested diplomacy and strategy between the two largest world economies.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Hadid’s twist on the classic includes a crashing wave design across the footbed, paired with a minimalist beige strap.—
Izzy Baskette,
People.com,
21 June 2025
-
The set, which was once a cult classic, but now should be regarded simply as a hugely successful release, also breaks into the top 10 on the Billboard 200.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Noun
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More important would be whether China and Russia took any stronger action against the United States beyond words.—
Matthew Tostevin
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 June 2025
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Those were words disgraced Pittsburgh financial advisor Marty Blazer lived by.—
Guy Lawson,
Rolling Stone,
22 June 2025
Noun
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One of the manifestations of the forces of evil that the CAC congregants see themselves in battle with is depression.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
12 June 2025
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This is a core manifestation of fascism — using federal forces to put down dissent.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
8 June 2025
Noun
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There’s a saying that an organized lie is stronger than the disorganized truth.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
17 June 2025
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As the saying goes, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.—
James Blake,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Noun
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In the cerebral artery flow model in the lab, Heit says, the milli-spinner was 100% effective at removing clots in more than 500 attempts.—
Ani Freedman,
Fortune,
27 June 2025
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Given the affordable housing crisis, Vienna’s social housing model has been given enormous media exposure and has been studied by numerous advocacy groups with mixed views.—
Jan Goldsmith,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 June 2025
Noun
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That is essentially the motto for St. Laurence’s entire lineup.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2025
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In other words, Essence Festival 2025 is around the corner, prompting the motto of wearing less and going out more.—
Tatayana Yomary,
Essence,
12 June 2025
Noun
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That night was the apotheosis of the superteam era.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
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Trump and conservatives, overall, are obsessed with tarring California — to them, the apotheosis of liberalism — as a violent, lawless, anti-American hellscape.—
Max Taves,
Mercury News,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Byword.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/byword. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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