1
as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
Mom's favorite byword is "You can get more flies with honey than with vinegar"
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2
as in classic
the most perfect type or example
nationally, Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive has become a byword for luxury retailing
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of byword
Before 2022, Ukraine was a byword for corruption: a resource-rich klepto-state in the no-man’s land between the EU and Russia.
—
Dominic Green, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
To some initial consternation, a Texan actor named Renée Zellweger is cast as the UK’s essential heroine, a character who, by then, is already globally understood to be a byword for contemporary, cosmopolitan womanhood.
—Hugh Grant, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
West Ham, Prague aside, have become a byword for underachievement.
—Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
Over the past five years, El Salvador has gone from a byword for dysfunction in American politics to a potential model for some, particularly for those on the Right.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for byword
Dominic Green, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
To some initial consternation, a Texan actor named Renée Zellweger is cast as the UK’s essential heroine, a character who, by then, is already globally understood to be a byword for contemporary, cosmopolitan womanhood.
—Hugh Grant, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
West Ham, Prague aside, have become a byword for underachievement.
—Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
Over the past five years, El Salvador has gone from a byword for dysfunction in American politics to a potential model for some, particularly for those on the Right.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for byword
Recent Examples of Synonyms for byword
Noun
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According to an ancient Neapolitan proverb, ‘More things happen in a day than in an entire century’.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 May 2025
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To butcher a proverb, if Bielsa is for you, who in that corner of England could possibly be against you?—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Noun
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Clearly inspired by the Italian neorealist classic Bicycle Thieves, Lucky Lu follows a Chinese migrant (played by the excellent Chang Chen, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) whose delivery bike does indeed get stolen towards the start of the film.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2025
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The Fresh Prince of Bel Air alum shared throwback photos on Instagram May 23 from her time making the 1999 cult classic.—
Benjamin VanHoose,
People.com,
27 May 2025
Noun
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The use of the words 'genocide' or 'acts of genocide' to describe what is happening in Gaza is no longer debated by international legal experts or human rights organizations.—
Neda Ulaby,
NPR,
29 May 2025
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Jim didn’t mince his words when defending Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol’s ability to claw the coffee giant out of declining sales, operational issues and a negative perception of the brand.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
29 May 2025
Noun
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In many ways, American Science & Surplus is a physical manifestation of the maker ethos.—
Eric Bangeman – Jun 4,
ArsTechnica,
4 June 2025
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All around these memories there were beautiful pieces by Grace Wales Bonner and Willy Chavarria, living manifestations of how much André did to help promote talented people of color.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
Adding witty sayings to the leaves of handheld fans, Knighten wanted to make a statement with her products in a fun and unique way.—
Ruth Etiesit Samuel,
Essence,
4 June 2025
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As the saying goes, out with the old, in with the new.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Our leaders intervened to retrain the model, preserving our commitment to personalized service.—
Braden Yuill,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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Strong cited the new opt-out system being considered by the UK government, which would mean copyright holders would need to opt-out from having their material used for training AI models.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
3 June 2025
Noun
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For that to be the case, though, their best player has to be able to play and perform utilizing that same motto.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
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That’s not the only team motto that can be found on the ring, though.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
28 May 2025
Noun
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A bit later, Federer and Nadal and Djokovic took over, and people thought that was the game’s apotheosis.—
Thomas Swick,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2025
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As far as men’s clothes are concerned, the apotheosis for me was between the Edwardian era—Victorian had a few too many frills, a bit too heavy—and the 1920s, the jazz age, with its freedom, a bit of laissez faire, a bit of inventiveness.—
Mark Holgate,
Vogue,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Byword.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/byword. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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