Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

name

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of name

having a good reputation especially in a field of knowledge
  • The university's physics department boasts a number of name physicists.
Synonyms of name

esteemed, estimable, prestigious, recognized, reputable, reputed, respectable, respected
Words Related to name

honorable, venerable, worthy

creditable, good, praiseworthy

celebrated, distinguished, famed, famous, honored, illustrious, notable, prominent, redoubtable, renowned, well-known
Near Antonyms of name

seedy, shadowy, shady

no-name, obscure, undistinguished, unknown
Antonyms of name

disreputable

name

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of name

1 a word or combination of words by which a person or thing is regularly known
  • The guy introduced himself and then asked what my name was.
Synonyms of name

appellation, cognomen, denomination, denotation, designation, handle, moniker (also monicker), nomenclature, title
Words Related to name

baptismal name, Christian name, first name, forename, given name

family name, maiden name, middle name, surname

byname, diminutive, epithet, nickname, sobriquet (also soubriquet)

banner, rubric, tag

alias, nom de guerre, nom de plume, pen name, pseudonym

binomial, monomial

trivial name, vernacular

misnomer

brand name, label, trademark, trade name
2 an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
  • Quit calling her names.
Synonyms of name

affront, barb, brickbat, cut, dart, dig, epithet, indignity, insult, offense (or offence), outrage, personality, poke, put-down, sarcasm, slap, slight, slur
Words Related to name

catcall, gibe (or jibe), jeer, mock, quip, sneer, taunt

abuse, invective, vituperation

disapproval, opprobrium

disgrace, dishonor, shame

attack, criticism, knock, slam, swipe

torment, torture
Near Antonyms of name

accolade, commendation, compliment

acclaim, applause, praise

adulation, flattery
3 outward and often deceptive indication
  • a celebrity who is the head of the charitable organization in name only
Synonyms of name

appearance, face, guise, outward, seeming, semblance, show
Words Related to name

air, effect, impression

hint, implication, insinuation, resemblance, suggestion

affectation, demonstration, display, fiction, image, imitation, imposture, likeness, make-believe (also make-belief), pose, pretense (or pretence), representation, simulation

cloak, disguise, exterior, facade (also façade), front, gloss, mask, masquerade, patina, shape, shell, surface, veneer
Phrases Synonymous with name

first blush
4 overall quality as seen or judged by people in general
  • has a good name among fellow marine biologists
Synonyms of name

character, fame, mark, note, odor, report, reputation, repute
Words Related to name

credit, honor

celebrity, notoriety, renown

image, persona

admiration, regard, reverence
Near Antonyms of name

discredit, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, ignominy, infamy, obloquy, odium, opprobrium, reproach, shame
5 a person who is widely known and usually much talked about
  • managed to get several names to appear at the restaurant's opening
Synonyms of name

cause célèbre (also cause celebre), celeb, celebrity, figure, icon (also ikon), light, luminary, megastar, notability, notable, notoriety, personage, personality, somebody, standout, star, superstar, VIP
Words Related to name

favorite, heartthrob, hero, idol

demigod, dignitary, eminence, immortal, monument, pillar, worthy

baron, big shot, bigwig, kahuna, magnate, mogul, nabob, panjandrum
Near Antonyms of name

lightweight, mediocrity

has-been
Antonyms of name

nobody, noncelebrity

name

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of name

1 to give a name to
  • Amy decided to name her new puppy "Bubbles."
Synonyms of name

baptize, call, christen, denominate, designate, dub, entitle, label, nominate, style, term, title
Words Related to name

brand, stigmatize, tag

denote, specify

miscall, misname, mistitle

nickname

surname
2 to make reference to or speak about briefly but specifically
  • I don't want to name anyone in particular, but someone in this room fiddled with my phone.
Synonyms of name

advert (to), cite, drop, instance, mention, note, notice, quote, refer (to), specify, touch (on or upon)
Words Related to name

allude (to), hint (at), imply, indicate, infer, intend, intimate, suggest

point (out), signal, signify

denominate, designate

indicate

bring up, broach, interject, interpolate, interpose, introduce

infiltrate, insinuate, worm

advertise, announce, broadcast, declare, proclaim, pronounce, publicize, publish, sound
Near Antonyms of name

disregard, forget, ignore, neglect, overlook, overpass, pass over, slight
3 to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty
  • was named the provost of the university
Synonyms of name

appoint, assign, attach, commission, constitute, designate, detail, nominate, place
Words Related to name

authorize, delegate, deputize

anoint, consecrate, create, inaugurate, induct, install, instate, institute, invest, make, ordain

crown, enthrone, throne

choose, destine, draft, elect, handpick, select, single (out), vote (in)
Near Antonyms of name

blackball, depose, dethrone, displace, eject, evict, oust, overthrow, remove, throw out, uncrown, unmake, unseat
Antonyms of name

discharge, dismiss, expel, fire
4 to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities
  • You don't like my offer? Just name your price.
Synonyms of name

cherry-pick, choose, cull, elect, handpick, opt (for), pick, prefer, select, single (out), take
Words Related to name

preselect

appoint, designate, fix, mark, nominate, set, tab, tap

accept, adopt, embrace, espouse

settle (on or upon)
Near Antonyms of name

disapprove, negative, repudiate, spurn

discard, jettison, throw away, throw out
Antonyms of name

decline, refuse, reject, turn down
5 to decide upon (the time or date for an event) usually from a position of authority
  • You name the date and I'll make sure I'm there.
Synonyms of name

appoint, designate, fix, set
Words Related to name

adopt, assign, choose, determine, establish, opt (for), pick, pin (down), prefer, select, settle, single (out), specify

arrange, coordinate, orchestrate

advertise, announce, declare, publish
6 to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration
  • They finally named a date for the wedding.
Synonyms of name

choose, conclude, decide, determine, figure, opt, resolve, settle (on or upon)
Words Related to name

decree, rule

cull, elect, handpick, pick, prefer, select, single (out)

adjudge, adjudicate, arbitrate, find, judge, referee, rule (on), umpire

chew over, cogitate, consider, contemplate, debate, deliberate, entertain, meditate, mull (over), ponder, question, ruminate, study, think (about or over), weigh
Near Antonyms of name

abstain, decline, refuse, reject, turn down

delay, halt, hesitate, stall, temporize

shilly-shally, vacillate, waffle, waver

Learn More about name

  1. See words that rhyme with name Dictionary: Definition of name Spanish Central: Translation of name Nglish: Translation of name for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of name for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about name

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up name? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games