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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
-
It’s been codified as myths, proverbs, clichés, epigrams, parables; the skeleton of every great story.—
Jann E. Freed,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
-
The Giants have one of the least-talented and most expensive offensive lines in the entire NFL There's an old NFL proverb that suggests games are won and lost in the trenches.—
Geoffrey Knox,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
Noun
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The film didn’t perform well, but the soundtrack has become a cult classic, and now, The Pick of Destiny has become a commercial success.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
During a stay, guests are privy to elaborate breakfast spreads that present Mexican classics like huevos rancheros and chilaquiles in the highest quality manner with ingredients sourced from traditional markets around the city.—
Michaela Trimble,
Vogue,
13 July 2025
Noun
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When someone loses the ability to speak because of a neurological condition like ALS, the impact goes far beyond words.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
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What is worse is when people disappear without a word.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
These methods address not just the emotional but the physical manifestations of moral injury and foster long-term resilience.—
Yujia Zhu,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Wimbledon is the tennis manifestation of this attitude, the sensible friend who likes to call it a night early.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
Remember the old saying: Red and yellow, kill a fellow; red and black, friend of Jack.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
-
As the saying goes, crisis represents both danger and opportunity.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Size wasn't really the issue with past Z Flip devices, but the new model still shaved off a few millimeters.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
9 July 2025
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The Double Shot made our reviewer's hair nice and smooth while giving it volume, and managed to give less frizz than other models.—
Boutayna Chokrane,
Wired News,
9 July 2025
Noun
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That is essentially the motto for St. Laurence’s entire lineup.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2025
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In other words, Essence Festival 2025 is around the corner, prompting the motto of wearing less and going out more.—
Tatayana Yomary,
Essence,
12 June 2025
Noun
-
That night was the apotheosis of the superteam era.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
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Trump and conservatives, overall, are obsessed with tarring California — to them, the apotheosis of liberalism — as a violent, lawless, anti-American hellscape.—
Max Taves,
Mercury News,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Byword.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/byword. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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