Thesaurus results for BYNAME

byname

noun

ˈbī-ˌnām

Definition of byname

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

Relevance

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

The character’s nickname, Big Pussy, is rumored to have originated during his time as a cat burglar.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 1 Aug. 2026
Thankfully renamed from the original French nickname of Hog Island, this sprawling island park is bigger and older than Central Park.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 July 2026

Definition of nickname

Noun

The sighting comes after Suri, who is studying musical theater at Carnegie Melon’s School of Drama, legally removed Cruise as her last name in Pennsylvania and changed her surname to Noelle, Katie’s middle name.

— Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 3 Aug. 2026
The decision to adopt it in the place of Cruise’s surname might suggest a desire to honor her mother.

— Alessia Ferri, Vanity Fair, 30 July 2026

Definition of surname

Noun

Communism is so dead in most of the world that using ‘communist’ as a political epithet sounds almost quaint.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Social media has teemed with unsavory videos of Argentinean misbehavior in the stadiums, including fans hurling racial epithets at a Black American influencer and showering Egyptians with beer.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 16 July 2026

Definition of epithet

Noun

Such is the same case for N3on, the digital moniker of 21-year-old Mikyle Rafiq.

— Corbin Bolies, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
Beta has put in the legwork, sourcing enlightening testimony from figures including Maupin and Alice’s great-nephew Steven Ellison, better known by his producer-musician moniker, Flying Lotus.

— Ian Penman, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of moniker

Browse Nearby Words

by means of

byname

bynames

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Byname.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/byname. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of byname

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

invidious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes