misnomer

noun

Definition of misnomernext
as in moniker
a name that is wrong or not proper or appropriate "International Airport" is something of a misnomer, since almost all the arriving and departing flights are local.

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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 misnomer Although they’re often called mobile homes or trailers, that’s really a misnomer because their owners can’t easily relocate them. — Erin Gaede, The Conversation, 3 June 2026 Family time was no longer a misnomer chez Bixby. — Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 Rare earths aren’t particularly scarce in the earth’s crust — the name is a misnomer. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 May 2026 The misnomer has defined, and confined, the painter’s legacy in the nearly two centuries after her death. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for misnomer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misnomer
  1. moniker
  2. nickname
  3. nomenclature
  4. diminutive
  5. designation
Noun
  • This is the Leeds full-length that sounds most like the previous one, despite the producer typically showing great range even across his individual monikers.
    — Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026
  • When Nick went to present his first big case to clients and the board, he was paralyzed by stuttering, and the firm hired a vocal coach who taught him to sing through the stammer, hence the moniker.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of moniker
Noun
  • To an uninformed voter, the nickname might suggest that Ehr is of Hispanic descent.
    — Michael Vasquez, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
  • All of the Slow Horses (a not-so-affectionate nickname for Slough House employees), past and present, are targeted, and Sid goes to River for help.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of nickname
Noun
  • The technologies themselves aren't changing, but NASA's effort to implement the nomenclature introduces new obstacles for scientific communication and the agency's digital infrastructure.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Under this nomenclature, Fredonia would be the poetic and literary term, and denizens of the nation would be called Fredonians, or more colloquially, Fredes.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of nomenclature
Noun
  • The more common nickname, El Mencho, is said to be a diminutive of his first name, Nemesio.
    — Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Another gender-neutral name that had a burst of popularity in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Jamie was a go-to for girls or a diminutive of James for boys.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 20 Feb. 2026
Definition of diminutive
Noun
  • Metallurgical coal used for steelmaking was the last critical material to be given the designation in 2025.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Cornerback Cobie Durant, who has missed four games with a hamstring strain, returned to the practice field in a full capacity this week and does not carry an injury designation going into Monday night.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of designation

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misnomer
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Cite this Entry

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

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