hypocorism

Definition of hypocorismnext

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 hypocorism Someone named the fog Karl, but none of our other weather gets a hypocorism. — Kevin Fisher-Paulson, SFChronicle.com, 29 Sep. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypocorism
Noun
  • The name itself is also a nod to Glick’s late mother, whose family name was Stavrand.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The events were meant to draw attention to the family name law requiring married couples to share a last name, known as Article 750, which has been on the books for 128 years.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Portman came from the actress’s maternal grandmother’s maiden name, while Natalie was simply an Americanized version of her Hebrew first name.
    — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Leave it to Lisa Barlow to combine two security questions (pet name and mother’s maiden name) into one.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Shangguanluan, a Chinese writer and activist who is known professionally by her pen name, moved to Taiwan in 2021 with her Taiwanese husband.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • An economy that stretches to Haiti For Jean-Marie Denis, the Haitian writer and Little Haiti cultural activist better known by his pen name, Jan Mapou, the withdrawal of Haitians from public life evokes something from Haiti’s past.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Enough to quickly merit a sobriquet calling her the richest Black girl in America.
    — Dan Kelly June 16, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2026
  • Presumably the same sobriquet might apply to many other countries.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • Her middle name, Hepler, was Lowe’s late mother’s maiden name and is his brother Rob Lowe’s middle name, per People.
    — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The four-meter-long veil, which was intricately embroidered with crystals and micro-beads forming star constellations, was a nod to Dove’s middle name, Celeste.
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • There was the use of nom de plume when a reporter was concerned about retribution for news content, but many reports identified sources for information so that readers at least understood whether to believe the story.
    — Shannon E. Martin, Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 Apr. 2026
  • In person, the author Freida McFadden (her nom de plume) has a sweet, shy demeanor—but don’t be fooled.
    — E.L. James, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Historical revisionism over the decades since has popularized the Raptors nickname, but purists still consider this Air Jordan 7 colorway to be the Playoffs style.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
  • María del Carmen Abascal, known by her nickname Maricarmen, is a resident of Madrid’s El Retiro neighborhood who, until last Wednesday, lived in an apartment on Alcalde Sainz de Baranda Street.
    — Pau Mosquera, CNN Money, 27 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The more common nickname, El Mencho, is said to be a diminutive of his first name, Nemesio.
    — Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Another gender-neutral name that had a burst of popularity in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Jamie was a go-to for girls or a diminutive of James for boys.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 20 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hypocorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypocorism. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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