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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for byname
Noun
  • Her strategically manipulative style of play on the series earned her the nickname Black Widow, a moniker that also followed her on other reality show appearances, such as on The Traitors 2 and Deal or No Deal Island 2.
    Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
  • But the nickname in Jets lore lives on.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Because that was his surname, and every spouse takes the husband's surname.
    Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • While his company doesn’t make use of his surname, his brother has a business that does, which has led customers to make jokes.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Use chapter titles or epithets to set up what’s coming.
    JD Barker, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
  • On his next broadcast, Maher convened guests like Ice Cube and Michael Eric Dyson to call him to task for using the epithet and to explore the issues about its us.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Byname.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/byname. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

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