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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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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That jacket’s colorful nickname, and its eye-watering valuation, trace back to a subculture that placed premiums on certain Polo collections long before the present vogue.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
1 Mar. 2026
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The shape of cup and saucer vine has led to its many nicknames, including cathedral bells and monastery bells.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The clerk only found out who was getting hitched when the bride told her that her new surname would be Bessette-Kennedy.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2026
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After portraying Alabaster, down to his pearly-white surname, as the apotheosis of white male villainy, Cash deflates him by arguing, essentially, #NotAllMen.—
Malavika Kannan,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The epithet could be heard when the BBC broadcast the ceremony about two hours after the live event.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Feb. 2026
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There is no stronger epithet in Albany than the charge of being weak.—
Paul Francis,
New York Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Another celebrity synonymous with all things luxury, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has been old money blonde since before the color had an of-the-moment moniker.—
Calin Van Paris,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
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Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, moved out of Royal Lodge in February 2026, three months after Charles stripped him of his royal titles, including his HRH and prince monikers, in November 2025.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Byname.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/byname. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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