nicknames 1 of 2

noun

plural of nickname
as in monikers
a descriptive or familiar name given instead of or in addition to the one belonging to an individual his wavy hair earned him the nickname "Curly" early in life

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nicknames

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of nickname
as in code-names

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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 nicknames
Noun
Algeria has some cool team nicknames, from the Greens to the Desert Foxes (or Fennecs). — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026 The Socceroos have one of the more whimsical nicknames in the world and join their North American hosts in calling the sport soccer. — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 13 June 2026 The painting is an abstract map of Chicago titled after one of the city's many nicknames that originated in a Carl Sandburg poem. — Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026 The title was an inside joke based on the band’s nicknames for two dogs owned by Ray Danniels, co-founder of SRO Management and the label that released Rush’s albums, Anthem Records. — Al Shipley, SPIN, 12 June 2026 However, writing of any kind, with any message, is prohibited per Major League Baseball’s Uniform Regulations which provides in part that, ‘(a) Player may not write, attach, affix, embroider or otherwise display nicknames or messages on apparel or playing equipment…’. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026 However, writing of any kind, with any message, is prohibited per Major League Baseball's Uniform Regulations which provides in part that, '(a) Player may not write, attach, affix, embroider or otherwise display nicknames or messages on apparel or playing equipment…'. — CBS News, 17 June 2026 However, writing of any kind, with any message, is prohibited per Major League Baseball’s Uniform Regulations which provides in part that, ‘(a) Player may not write, attach, affix, embroider or otherwise display nicknames or messages on apparel or playing equipment…’. — ABC News, 16 June 2026 The moon's nicknames, like April's Pink Moon, May's Flower Moon or June's Strawberry Moon, originated from Native Americans, Colonial Americans and other cultures' names for the moon. — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nicknames
  1. monikers
  2. epithets
  3. surnames
Noun
  • However, this trend doesn't take away from the trend of parents choosing ancient civilization names for their kids — monikers like Cassian, Aurelius and Cleo remain popular.
    — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
  • The jokes and goofy monikers mattered.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
Definition of monikers
Noun
  • Since construction at the Eagle Rock site — so nicknamed after a decrepit colonnade — first stalled in 2008, the only thing that accumulated faster than the garbage and graffiti were the epithets from outraged community members.
    — Ryan Steven Green, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • The Chawla said multiple campaign road signs were vandalized with racial epithets in two separate incidents.
    — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Definition of epithets
Noun
  • Many common surnames, such as Carpenter or Baker, originated from occupations passed down through generations, reflecting how closely people’s identities were tied to their work.
    — Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Decade after decade, Chicagoans with Italian surnames have hidden instead of objected.
    — Gary Grasso, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Definition of surnames

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Cite this Entry

“Nicknames.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nicknames. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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