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
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
At home the story of Norway’s infamous Nazi collaborator Vidkun Quisling, whose name has become a byword for traitor, stirred intense public debate and ended up as the third biggest Norwegian film of 2024.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025
As part of the Panasonic empire, Technics was once a byword for hi-fi in the 1980s.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
At times this season, Newcastle have been a byword for inconsistency, but Tottenham take that distinction to a whole other level.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for byword
Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Feb. 2025
At home the story of Norway’s infamous Nazi collaborator Vidkun Quisling, whose name has become a byword for traitor, stirred intense public debate and ended up as the third biggest Norwegian film of 2024.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025
As part of the Panasonic empire, Technics was once a byword for hi-fi in the 1980s.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
At times this season, Newcastle have been a byword for inconsistency, but Tottenham take that distinction to a whole other level.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for byword
Recent Examples of Synonyms for byword
Noun
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So grateful for what the Lord has given me 🤍 proverbs 31:30.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
23 Feb. 2025
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But Bluey’s comforted when Calypso tells her a proverb about a farmer who trusts everything will turn out the way it’s meant to be.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This is a club, as the Joy Division classic goes, that is meant to fall apart when Easter arrives.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2025
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Glenn’s silver-screen legacy includes small parts in genuine classics like Nashville (1975) and Apocalypse Now (1979) to major roles in The Right Stuff (1983), The Hunt for Red October (1990), and The Bourne Ultimatum (2007).—
Sezin Devi Koehler,
EW.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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His sentences stopped making sense, then his words.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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Some teachers have pushed back against the changes to reading instruction, which place a greater emphasis on phonics and discourage the use of context clues to guess at words.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Are these conflicting phrases truly what's in the review — or a manifestation of Carmy's (White) anxiety?—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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The paradox is that these manifestations, on the contrary, bring Ukraine closer to its common enemy, as in Russia, homophobia is flourishing with incredible force right now.—
Sonya Vseliubska,
IndieWire,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Preserve & Grow Wealth With Risk-Focused Quality Portfolios However, as the saying goes – never put all your eggs in one basket.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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The saying goes that the only things to survive the apocalypse will be Twinkies and roaches.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Across the board, all models support low-latency gaming modes (ranging from 105ms to 120ms with Nothing OS), IP55 dust and water resistance (except Buds 2a with IP54), and fast charging.—
Prakhar Khanna,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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Police analysts can then comb through this data and attempt to identify a culprit, often using surveillance footage or witness testimony about a vehicle’s color, make, or model.—
Dell Cameron,
Wired News,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Eradicate ransomware together is the motto of the Halcyon Threat Research Incentive Program, known as TRIP for short, which launched April 21.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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Here's everything to know about Mel Robbin's motto that has taken over the internet.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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That scene at the opera was, for me anyway, the apotheosis of it.—
Todd Gilchrist,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2025
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But humanity is not progressing toward an apotheosis.—
A. Wess Mitchell,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Byword.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/byword. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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