naming 1 of 2

noun

as in designation

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naming

2 of 2

verb

present participle of name
1
as in calling
to give a name to decided to name her new puppy "Bubbles"

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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

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3
as in nominating
to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty was named the provost of the university

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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

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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

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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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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 naming
Noun
But did anyone notice the company’s tongue-in-cheek naming strategy? — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026 These lines bring me to understand that poetry itself is a kind of imprecise naming, but a naming nonetheless. — Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026 Lately, state lawmakers have also handed down laws preempting local ordinances on workplace safety, cruise ships, climate goals, fertilizer, naming of airports and painting sidewalks. — Nico Rivero, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 One involves the naming of Jennifer Hegseth, wife of the defense secretary, to chair the commission. — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 25 Sep. 2026 The characters, cast, and crew also gave expecting parents plenty of new naming inspiration. — Sarah Scott, Parents, 24 Sep. 2026 This find would lead to the naming of several now-iconic dinosaurs, including Colorado’s state fossil, the Stegosaurus. — Kristen Kidd, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2026 The stadium is operated by the Eagles, while the venue's naming rights are held by Lincoln Financial Group. — Ross Dimattei, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026 The Chiefs sold naming rights to GEHA in 2021, but starting this year it’s no longer included in the stadium name. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski spoke at his end-of-season press conference Thursday morning, just one day after naming Don Mattingly the full-time manager. — Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 In October, a month after naming former hardware lead John Ternus as its new CEO, the company will debut its first foldable iPhone—using technology for which Ternus was named on the original patent filed some 15 years ago. — Time Staff, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Then, in May, with Leribault now at the helm, the museum resumed the project, naming Selldorf Architects and Studios Architecture Paris as the winners of the competition. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Flores, who is Black, sued the NFL and its 32 teams in February 2022, specifically naming the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos and New York Giants. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 Audi, which disastrously reconfigured its entire model-naming strategy a while ago before changing it all back, must have missed that memo. — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026 Last year, Tamboran made a change and removed Riddle as CEO, naming Stoneburner interim CEO. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026 Many Republicans prefer a more generalized stiff arm Reflecting the complex electoral balance, most Republicans have attempted to separate themselves without naming any firm difference with the president. — Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 Future Society founder Jasmina Aganovic told New Beauty that the appetite is less about naming a flower or a fruit and more about naming a weather pattern. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naming
  1. designation
  2. calling
  3. specifying
  4. nominating
  5. selecting
  6. setting
  7. choosing
  8. nomination
Noun
  • On Friday, Penix had no injury designation and was fully cleared to take the field as QB1 this weekend.
    — Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • On the aesthetic front, Vanadium Grey Metallic accents on the sideview-mirror covers, the wheels, the model-designation decals on the doors, and on the badge at the rear help distinguish the latest Carrera T from its siblings.
    — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of designation
Verb
  • What needs help O'Connell hasn't had much success with trick plays over five seasons of calling the offense.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But whether calling him by first name, last name, both or by nickname, just make sure to put respect on the Lakers forward’s game that’s too varied to fit in a single position.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of calling
Verb
  • An investigation is underway, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said, without specifying whether the attacks caused any damage or casualties.
    — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • In September, her campaign criticized Tafoya’s sports stance without specifying how Flanagan would vote on federal restrictions.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of specifying
Verb
  • Voters also will be nominating candidates for the entire state Legislature, where Republicans hold a roughly 40-vote majority in the 400-member House and outnumber Democrats in the Senate 16-8.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • And in the event that Chris Hansen is indeed the role that finally lands the actor a nomination, in a very literal sense, the Academy will also be nominating him for The Odyssey.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of nominating
Verb
  • Because mRNA vaccines can be developed and manufactured more quickly than traditional shots, scientists could wait until later in the year before selecting which influenza strains to target.
    — Claire Maldarelli, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026
  • This includes selecting suitable cutting tools, refining machining procedures, and incorporating robotic arms into assembly tasks.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of selecting
Verb
  • The original show’s international profile has now been further bolstered by its shoot in Japan, where the series has become such a huge hit that setting part of Season 7 in Tokyo was a natural next step.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The record-setting gasoline price woes arrive as affordability stands as a top concern for voters ahead of early November's midterm elections.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of setting
Verb
  • Price optimization means choosing prices that advance business goals, such as increasing profits, attracting shoppers or clearing unsold goods.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Traditionally, choosing a nozzle size involves a compromise between detail and speed.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of choosing
Noun
  • The January 16, 2027 slot once again falls the day after the end of nomination voting in the Academy Awards on January 15, and before the January 21 nominations announcement.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The first season of Surprise & Seek was nominated for a 2025 Primetime Emmy nomination for best art direction.
    — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of nomination

Browse Nearby Words

names
naming
nannies
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Cite this Entry

“Naming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naming. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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