as in nickname
a descriptive or familiar name given instead of or in addition to the one belonging to an individual
Thomas Edward Lawrence is better known to most people by his byname, Lawrence of Arabia
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of byname
Robert the Wise was a good teacher — and, as his byname suggests, a good role model.
—
Anne Thériault, Longreads, 3 July 2018
Anne Thériault, Longreads, 3 July 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for byname
Noun
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Unsurprisingly, given its nickname, Little Hell can be a fearsome place to visit.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
14 June 2025
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The Pitt, which is both a nickname for Robby’s ER and the city in which the show is based, has already been renewed for a second season.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
12 June 2025
Noun
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Amid the rift with his father, Harry spoke with his uncle Charles Spencer about changing his family’s last name to Princess Diana's surname, Spencer, but was told the legal challenges would be insurmountable.—
Simon Perry,
People.com,
5 June 2025
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Take their choice to formally use both of their surnames, for example.—
Theresa Pichler,
Glamour,
2 June 2025
Noun
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The frequent Trump epithet losers would be a suitably pejorative modern equivalent.—
Graham Robb,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2025
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The event was held by the California Federation of Labor Unions and the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, so there was ample praise for California workers and plenty of epithets hurled at President Trump.—
Phil Willon,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Byname.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/byname. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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