as in moniker
a name that is wrong or not proper or appropriate
"International Airport" is something of a misnomer, since almost all the arriving and departing flights are local.
Related 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 misnomer
The five-occupant seating designation is a misnomer in sub-compact SUVs, unless second-seat occupants are particularly petite adults or children.
—
James Raia, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
The Self-Clean Setting, Explained Despite the misnomer, ovens cannot actually clean themselves.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 7 Feb. 2026
Separate from the main house is a recreation studio, although that may be a misnomer.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2026
One misnomer to Indiana’s success it that its roster is a result of tens of millions of NIL dollars spent by desperate donors, namely IU alum and former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misnomer
James Raia, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
The Self-Clean Setting, Explained Despite the misnomer, ovens cannot actually clean themselves.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 7 Feb. 2026
Separate from the main house is a recreation studio, although that may be a misnomer.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2026
One misnomer to Indiana’s success it that its roster is a result of tens of millions of NIL dollars spent by desperate donors, namely IU alum and former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misnomer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misnomer
Noun
-
Even a serial killer adopted the Zodiac as his moniker.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
That moniker comes from a violent 1967 peasant uprising against oppressive landlords in Naxalbari, a village in the shadow of the Himalayan foothills in northeast India.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
The All Whites, New Zealand’s team nickname, are in their third World Cup and seeking their first victory after going winless in 1982 and 2010.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
1 June 2026
-
Her aunt Karen, for example, gave her an Easter basket embroidered with the nickname Shelly; her grandmother intended to give it to her for Easter 1983.—
Ben Brachfeld,
PEOPLE,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Not to be confused with the front-engined V-12 series of 250s (Ferrari nomenclature can get messy), the 1963 Ferrari 250 LM was a mid-engined Prancing Horse made to enable Maranello to homologate its new GT racing car in the early 1960s.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
28 May 2026
-
Alaïa has been putting more of a spotlight on Archetypes — its nomenclature for pre-collections, which have been overseen in recent seasons by creative director Pieter Mulier.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
7 May 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
Noun
-
County type designations are based on a New York Times analysis of data from the Census, the National Center for Health Statistics, and other research.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
The single-family subdivision Selected by Jeff Speck Single-family zoning covers more of this country’s livable urban land than any other designation.—
Time,
Time,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misnomer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misnomer. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
