antonomasia
/ˌæntənəˈmeɪʒə/
noun
- A figure of speech in which a descriptive phrase or epithet is used instead of a person's name, or a proper name is used to represent a general class.
- Calling a traitor 'a Benedict Arnold' is an example of antonomasia.
- In literature, 'the Bard' is an antonomasia for William Shakespeare.
- Using 'the Iron Lady' to refer to Margaret Thatcher is a famous antonomasia.
Synonyms