as in designation
Related Words
Relevance
1
as in calling
to give a name to
decided to name her new puppy "Bubbles"
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in specifying
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 car's radio
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nominating
to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty
was named the provost of the university
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in selecting
to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities
you don't like my offer? Just name your price
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in setting
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 & Similar Words
6
as in choosing
to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration
they finally named a date for the wedding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of naming
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026
Following the naming of Elijah Craig Rye Barrel Proof as Whiskey of the Year by Whiskey Advocate, the distillery continues to prove its strength in the rye whiskey category.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
This is pretty standard practice for World Cup venues, as FIFA maintains strict guidelines about commercial naming rights during its events.
—Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
But in some cases, the administration may be bound by statute or formal contracts, as with the legal battle over the naming of the Kennedy Center, which was named by an act of Congress.
—Jason Zenor, The Conversation, 18 Feb. 2026
The announcement reversed changes made under the Biden administration following recommendations from a congressional naming commission.
—Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 15 Feb. 2026
Khanna described his public naming of the six men as part of a broader push to scrutinize wealthy and powerful individuals who maintained relationships with Epstein after his 2008 conviction for procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
In November, Arizona sold the naming rights to Arizona Stadium for $60 million over 20 years.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
While some Indiana communities have grown accustomed to the naming of a new leader every few years, Suggs will be just the sixth superintendent in the district’s 63-year history.
—Carley Lanich, IndyStar, 10 Feb. 2026
Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Apart from publicly naming himself, Fincke did not give details about his medical condition.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 25 Feb. 2026
Housing was second with 24% of respondents naming it the most pressing problem.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
While the timeline for naming a permanent successor remains unclear, lawmakers indicated the nominations committee process would begin soon.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
One by one, the guests arrive, walking in like characters entering a haunted mansion, sensing but not yet naming the threat.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Posts on Johnson’s social media announcing the naming contest in December show dozens of internet users responding to recommend the name.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
These promotions come on the heels of Buchwald naming Julia Buchwald as Chief Executive Officer and President, and Ryan Martin as Co-President of the agency.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026
But the union stopped short of naming Meyer as the interim head after a conference call convened on Tuesday evening by the executive subcommittee and player representatives from the 30 clubs.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
Mark Walker, Boca Raton A highly polarizing figure The naming of public buildings after individuals is a significant gesture that typically reflects a consensus on their positive impact, legacy and public service.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026
Following the naming of Elijah Craig Rye Barrel Proof as Whiskey of the Year by Whiskey Advocate, the distillery continues to prove its strength in the rye whiskey category.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
This is pretty standard practice for World Cup venues, as FIFA maintains strict guidelines about commercial naming rights during its events.
—Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
But in some cases, the administration may be bound by statute or formal contracts, as with the legal battle over the naming of the Kennedy Center, which was named by an act of Congress.
—Jason Zenor, The Conversation, 18 Feb. 2026
The announcement reversed changes made under the Biden administration following recommendations from a congressional naming commission.
—Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 15 Feb. 2026
Khanna described his public naming of the six men as part of a broader push to scrutinize wealthy and powerful individuals who maintained relationships with Epstein after his 2008 conviction for procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
In November, Arizona sold the naming rights to Arizona Stadium for $60 million over 20 years.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
While some Indiana communities have grown accustomed to the naming of a new leader every few years, Suggs will be just the sixth superintendent in the district’s 63-year history.
—Carley Lanich, IndyStar, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
Virginia honored Bennett in a ceremony before Saturday’s 86-83 win over Miami, naming the court at John Paul Jones Arena after him.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Apart from publicly naming himself, Fincke did not give details about his medical condition.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 25 Feb. 2026
Housing was second with 24% of respondents naming it the most pressing problem.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
While the timeline for naming a permanent successor remains unclear, lawmakers indicated the nominations committee process would begin soon.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
One by one, the guests arrive, walking in like characters entering a haunted mansion, sensing but not yet naming the threat.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Posts on Johnson’s social media announcing the naming contest in December show dozens of internet users responding to recommend the name.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
These promotions come on the heels of Buchwald naming Julia Buchwald as Chief Executive Officer and President, and Ryan Martin as Co-President of the agency.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026
But the union stopped short of naming Meyer as the interim head after a conference call convened on Tuesday evening by the executive subcommittee and player representatives from the 30 clubs.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naming
Noun
-
The ordinance associated with the land’s zoning also has a provision that would revert it back to a single-family residence designation if the city determined that overflow parking was no longer needed, the lawsuit states.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The judge also highlighted DJI’s designation as a National Enterprise Technology Center.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His prosecution has sparked outrage on social media and prompted several petitions calling for the charges against him to be dropped, including one signed by more than 380,000 people.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Men and women stepped onto their balconies, watching the crowd stream past—not an unusual sight there since liberation, except that now there were no tri-star revolutionary flags, no banners calling for freedom.—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Apart from specifying that the number of wolves had to exceed the state’s endangerment cutoff, legislators never defined what such a sustainable level might be.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Entire chapters specifying how nuclear material should be secured and what sorts of physical barriers should be built to protect it have been reduced to bullet points.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This year, the party has another chance to try something other than nominating a conventional liberal who loses and then gets to run an NGO.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Some people thought not nominating Gwyneth Paltrow as an aging actress was a snub; Odessa A'zion deserved a nomination, as well.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That’s more than two points higher than the same time period in the 2020 primaries and almost six points higher than the same time period in the 2024 primaries, when voters were selecting party presidential nominees.—
Data Reporter,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Rhett Lashlee’s easiest decision of the offseason may have been selecting a replacement for defensive coordinator Scott Symons.—
Lia Assimakopoulos,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The more senior players should, in theory, be setting standards and taking their younger team-mates along with them, but appear unable to do either.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Hartsuch appealed, but in October 2025, the Iowa Court of Appeals upheld the district court’s ruling, setting the stage for Hartsuch’s newest lawsuit alleging the board’s actions were unreasonable, violated his rights and destroyed his livelihood.—
Clark Kauffman,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Talent is a leading indicator of success in an organization, and the talent that’s choosing to go to MLS is getting better and better.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
28 Feb. 2026
-
There’s still a time and place for the pristine glassware, fancy silver, and perfectly arranged centerpieces, but no one is going to judge you if there’s a little dust bunny in the corner or for choosing paper napkins over linen.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This year saw a record 853 entries submitted for nomination consideration.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
-
His contributions as a background vocalist and songwriter for projects by artists ranging from Kaytranada to The Internet brought him closer to Grammy glory throughout the 2010s, but his first nomination would come in 2025 for En Route, an EP that competed for best progressive R&B album.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Naming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naming. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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