cognomens

noun

variants or cognomina
plural of cognomen
1
as in nicknames
a descriptive or familiar name given instead of or in addition to the one belonging to an individual richly deserved the cognomen of "Butterfingers"

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in names
a word or combination of words by which a person or thing is regularly known "Christopher Columbus" is the Latinized cognomen of the navigator who was known to his Spanish crewmates as Cristóbal Colón

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cognomens
  1. nicknames
  2. names
  3. surnames
  4. monikers
  5. epithets
  6. titles
  7. designations
Noun
  • Some of the stories behind the nicknames are better than the actual nicknames.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The name has an elegant, European feel but also playful, accessible nicknames like Freddy and Fred to keep it grounded.
    — Sarah Scott, Parents, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of nicknames
Noun
  • As their names suggest, one perfume bottle features an image of pizza and the other of pasta on its front.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Most names were redacted, but the records identified contacts associated with reporters from CNN, the Washington Post, Politico, and Just the News, according to the task force.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of names
Noun
  • Cricket South Africa said players will take the field with the names of breast cancer fighters or survivors replacing their own surnames on the backs of their shirts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The couple lived between New York City, Denmark, France, and Tuxedo Park, according to listing agent Richard Ellis, and their surnames inspired the property’s name.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of surnames
Noun
  • These practices have made some industries a permanent part of the country’s political fabric, and given rise to unflattering monikers like Big Oil or Big Pharma or Big Food.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The legendary playwright has penned dramatic productions with some of the most popular monikers of all time, including Jessica and Olivia.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of monikers
Noun
  • The raid drew criticism over separating families, and a group of Idahoans sued, saying officers hurled racial epithets and largely withheld water, food, bathrooms and medical care.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Hochman detailed a number of prosecutions, including the sentence of one man to a life sentence plus seven years with the possibility of parole for a March 23 attack, during which racial epithets were uttered.
    — City News Service, Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of epithets
Noun
  • La Oreja de Van Gogh will also serve as executive producer on the film, which bids fair to become one of the biggest upcoming titles from Spain.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In 2027, the Paramount-Warners Bros slate will overdeliver the state AG’s demands of 30 films annually with 36 titles.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of titles
Noun
  • With little comment from the state panel and no public testimony, the Cabinet voted to apply domestic or foreign terrorist designations to a series of groups, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Muslim Brotherhood and antifa.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Notably, Congress gave the DC Circuit appeals court exclusive jurisdiction to review procurement actions taken under Section 4713 designations.
    — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of designations
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.

Browse Nearby Words

cognomen
cognomens
cognoscente
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Cite this Entry

“Cognomens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cognomens. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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