sulzberger: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “sulzberger” mean?
A surname, most famously associated with the family that owns and publishes The New York Times.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surname, most famously associated with the family that owns and publishes The New York Times.
Used metonymically to refer to the leadership, ownership, or editorial direction of The New York Times, or to the newspaper's institutional stance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The name is American in origin and association. In British contexts, it is used almost exclusively in reference to the American newspaper. A British equivalent might be 'the Barclay family' (former owners of The Telegraph) or 'the Murdochs' (owners of The Times and The Sun).
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes establishment media, legacy journalism, and institutional power. In American discourse, it carries stronger connotations of a specific, influential family dynasty in publishing.
Frequency
Exponentially more frequent in American English, particularly in media and political commentary. In British English, it appears primarily in international news or media analysis contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “sulzberger” in a Sentence
[The] Sulzberger [family] + [verb of ownership/leadership: owns, runs, controls] + [The New York Times][A statement/decision] + [from/by] + [the] Sulzberger[s]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sulzberger” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The paper was Sulzbergered into a more digital-focused enterprise. (Informal, non-standard)
American English
- Critics accused him of trying to Sulzberger the editorial page. (Informal, non-standard)
adjective
British English
- The article had a distinctly Sulzbergerian tone of liberal institutionalism. (Informal, derived)
American English
- It was a classic Sulzberger move, balancing journalistic ideals with business realities. (Informal, derived)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the controlling shareholders and corporate governance of The New York Times Company.
Academic
Used in media studies, journalism history, or political communication to discuss media ownership and influence.
Everyday
Rare in everyday conversation outside of discussions about media or current events.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sulzberger”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sulzberger”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sulzberger”
- Misspelling: Sulzburger, Sulzberg, Salzberger.
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a sulzberger' is incorrect).
- Mispronouncing the 'z' as 's' or the 'g' as hard 'g' (as in 'go').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a proper noun (surname) with very low frequency. It is known primarily due to its association with a prominent media family.
No, it is not a generic term. Its use is almost exclusively tied to The New York Times. Using it for other owners would be confusing and incorrect.
In American English: /ˈsʌlzˌbɜːrɡər/ (SULZ-ber-ger). The 'z' is pronounced, and the 'g' is soft as in 'ger' of 'berger'.
As a culturally significant proper noun, it appears in media and academic texts. Understanding its referent is important for comprehension in those domains, similar to other notable surnames like 'Rothschild' or 'Rockefeller'.
A surname, most famously associated with the family that owns and publishes The New York Times.
Sulzberger is usually formal, journalistic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Heir/Scion] to the Sulzberger throne”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Sells' (Sulz) 'Burgers' (berger) to the elite – but this family 'sells' news (The New York Times) to the world.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MEDIA INSTITUTION IS A FAMILY DYNASTY. (e.g., 'The Sulzbergers have guided the paper for generations.')
Practice
Quiz
What is 'Sulzberger' primarily associated with?