as in designation
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1
as in calling
to give a name to
decided to name her new puppy "Bubbles"
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in specifying
to make reference to or speak about briefly but specifically
I don't want to name anyone in particular, but someone in this room fiddled with my car's radio
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nominating
to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty
was named the provost of the university
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in selecting
to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities
you don't like my offer? Just name your price
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in setting
to decide upon (the time or date for an event) usually from a position of authority
you name the date and I'll make sure I'm there
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in choosing
to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration
they finally named a date for the wedding
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of naming
Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026
The university also finalized a 10-year naming rights agreement for Williams Arena, which will now be called The Barn by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
—CBS News, 17 June 2026
The Park District and Chicago Piping Plovers plan to announce a naming contest Tuesday for the four chicks, with organizers encouraging submissions tied to Chicago history or culture.
—Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
Rodriguez said the naming and storytelling runs through the rooms themselves.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
Queen of Hearts and The Girl with the Needle actress Trine Dyrholm co-stars a woman estranged from children who turns up uninvited at a weekend-long naming party for her son’s firstborn child at a luxury season resort.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 11 June 2026
Trail Drive Management will now look for a new naming partner that makes sense both for the arena and the community, Homan said.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 June 2026
Still, Baroni was confident that the park’s visibility from Interstate 95 would help secure a competitive price for its naming rights.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 3 June 2026
The board voted in late March to create a naming committee, the first step in a process the district overhauled last year.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2026
Finch Walker, USA Today, 17 June 2026
Beyond harsher criticism, sports media frames Black athletes differently — often naming them as villains, failures, antagonists or questioning their leadership when necessary.
—Brielle Miller, Baltimore Sun, 16 June 2026
The Bay Area News Group is not naming the suspect because he is charged as a juvenile.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
If plans change quickly, balance fairness with follow through, and keep everyone together by naming a clear next step.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 15 June 2026
The Tribune is not naming him because the man has not been charged with causing O’Neil’s death.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
Fiserv announced the company’s immediate leadership change on Monday, naming Takis Georgakopoulos as CEO and member of the board of directors with Lyons’ departure.
—Charlotte Observer, 15 June 2026
Not everyone is satisfied with the naming conventions for wildfires.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026
Attorney General Ellison convened a strategic-facilitation process among the U, Fairview and M Physicians in March last year, naming Lois Quam as facilitator in April of that year.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 9 June 2026
Noun
Last month, Lopiano was among the Stamford sports figures honored with the naming of a field in her honor.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026
The university also finalized a 10-year naming rights agreement for Williams Arena, which will now be called The Barn by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
—CBS News, 17 June 2026
The Park District and Chicago Piping Plovers plan to announce a naming contest Tuesday for the four chicks, with organizers encouraging submissions tied to Chicago history or culture.
—Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
Rodriguez said the naming and storytelling runs through the rooms themselves.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
Queen of Hearts and The Girl with the Needle actress Trine Dyrholm co-stars a woman estranged from children who turns up uninvited at a weekend-long naming party for her son’s firstborn child at a luxury season resort.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 11 June 2026
Trail Drive Management will now look for a new naming partner that makes sense both for the arena and the community, Homan said.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 June 2026
Still, Baroni was confident that the park’s visibility from Interstate 95 would help secure a competitive price for its naming rights.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 3 June 2026
The board voted in late March to create a naming committee, the first step in a process the district overhauled last year.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2026
Verb
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is asking the public for help naming a female lion cub born in April.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 17 June 2026
Beyond harsher criticism, sports media frames Black athletes differently — often naming them as villains, failures, antagonists or questioning their leadership when necessary.
—Brielle Miller, Baltimore Sun, 16 June 2026
The Bay Area News Group is not naming the suspect because he is charged as a juvenile.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
If plans change quickly, balance fairness with follow through, and keep everyone together by naming a clear next step.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 15 June 2026
The Tribune is not naming him because the man has not been charged with causing O’Neil’s death.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
Fiserv announced the company’s immediate leadership change on Monday, naming Takis Georgakopoulos as CEO and member of the board of directors with Lyons’ departure.
—Charlotte Observer, 15 June 2026
Not everyone is satisfied with the naming conventions for wildfires.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026
Attorney General Ellison convened a strategic-facilitation process among the U, Fairview and M Physicians in March last year, naming Lois Quam as facilitator in April of that year.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naming
Noun
-
Such designations are typically invoked for major events like presidential inaugurations or summits of world leaders and trigger a massive federal security response.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
-
The Steele Creek cemetery was once part of a 37-acre historic designation.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
23 June 2026
Verb
-
During a press conference last week, Lamont issued his own proposal to require that electric utilities seek regular approval to continue operating in Connecticut but stopped short of calling for a public takeover.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
20 June 2026
-
Raccoons living in your home can be detrimental in a variety of ways, and calling a professional to help remove them is a good idea.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
On June 11, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department released a statement specifying that Mexican authorities had not contacted them about the tip or the search efforts, but saying the investigation was still ongoing.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
17 June 2026
-
Its Senate sponsor, Chicago Democrat Ram Villivalam, acknowledged more work was needed without specifying what stalled the bill.—
Jack O'Connor,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Democrats did manage to avoid nominating a controversial pick in the somewhat competitive 35th Congressional District.—
Megan Pratz,
NPR,
27 May 2026
-
Stewart’s future is timely because Connecticut Republicans will be nominating a candidate for governor at the state party’s convention at the Mohegan Sun casino on Saturday.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Tossing a Tide pod inside your washing machine, selecting your preferred wash cycle, and pressing start sounds simple enough.—
Katelyn Chef,
Southern Living,
18 June 2026
-
Leaders often devote significant attention to selecting the right platforms, tools, and vendors while overlooking the learning systems necessary to support adoption, experimentation, knowledge sharing, and workforce capability development.—
Michael Edmondson,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
The home’s earthy palette of Querobabi adobe, lime plaster walls and natural wood helps link it to the desert setting, as do the broad steps that now cascade down to an infinity pool out back.—
Fred Albert,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
The nurturing Moon drifts through your 12th House of Solitude, where a quincunx from boundary-setting Saturn in your 7th House of Partnership requires rest before promises.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
McCarthy doesn’t paint Alex and Ethan as perfect allies or perfect victims, instead choosing to explore the shortcomings in their friendship through mostly gender-neutral growing pains.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
19 June 2026
-
Langley has recruited women to open for every date, choosing Gabriella Rose, Kaitlin Butts, Avery Anna, Laci Kaye Booth, and Madeline Edwards for the tour, which kicked off in May and concludes this August in, appropriately, Texas.—
Marissa R. Moss,
Rolling Stone,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
With the Conservative Party's nomination, Smullen had already secured a spot on the November ballot.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
-
Moore defeated Republican Dan Cox in 2022, and Cox is in the running again this year for the GOP nomination.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Naming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naming. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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