alphabet

noun

ˈal-fə-ˌbet How to pronounce alphabet (audio)
Definition of alphabetnext
as in elements
general or basic truths on which other truths or theories can be based you need to learn the alphabet of genealogy before you can move on to more advanced study

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 alphabet Others feature question words, letters of the alphabet and colors of the rainbow, some translated from Spanish to English. — Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026 Start by purchasing an inexpensive dip pen (where the ink comes from a separate pot) and find an online alphabet that demonstrates the order and direction of each letter’s strokes. — Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 16 Sep. 2026 In fact the two sides have precisely the same record so far this season, separated in the table only by the alphabet, and no one wants to see that. — Duncan Alexander, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 The National Hurricane Center has a set number of lists, which include one pre-determined name for every letter of the alphabet, that are used on a rotational basis, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alphabet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alphabet
  1. elements
  2. grammar
  3. basis
Noun
  • Writer Arati Menon heads to Kitchen on the Edge of the World, a four-day event where top chefs harness the Arctic elements and local ingredients to create extraordinary culinary experiences.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The gaps between elements aren’t consistent, which makes the buds look seem cheaply put together.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of elements
Noun
  • Initially, videos were geared towards people looking to learn Spanish as a foreign language and understand grammar topics.
    — Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
  • And so lyric arrives, unbridled by the laws of grammar, pressing its hooves to the measure of music.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of grammar
Noun
  • For the technology leader responsible for keeping essential services running, these details provide a basis for assessing what protections exist and what happens in an extreme scenario.
    — Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Violence in the West Bank has surged in recent years as settlements have expanded, often backed by Israeli forces; attacks on farmers and communities who rely on the olive harvest for their livelihoods now come on a daily basis.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of basis

Phrases Containing alphabet

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alpha and omegas
alphabet
alphabetize
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Cite this Entry

“Alphabet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alphabet. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on alphabet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alphabet

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