as in saying
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
her grandfather has a proverb for every occasion
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Recent Examples of proverb
For nine months, Erasmus spent his short nights in a modest dorm and his long days in the print shop, expanding on his collection of proverbs Adagiorum chiliades while Aldus proofread, craftsman carefully laying sets of print and rolling paper through the press.
—
Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025
Includes quirky facts, adages, advice, quotes and proverbs, as well as articles about mistletoe, bird nests, perennials, timekeeping, recipes and more.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
The lyrics, some inspired by proverbs and biblical passages, convey the fervor of his first love with God, without losing his personal touch.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2025
His tale has become a proverb for any outdoor fanatic who, despite all of the proper planning and preparation, is undone by forces more powerful than him or herself.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proverb
Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025
Includes quirky facts, adages, advice, quotes and proverbs, as well as articles about mistletoe, bird nests, perennials, timekeeping, recipes and more.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
The lyrics, some inspired by proverbs and biblical passages, convey the fervor of his first love with God, without losing his personal touch.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2025
His tale has become a proverb for any outdoor fanatic who, despite all of the proper planning and preparation, is undone by forces more powerful than him or herself.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proverb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proverb
Noun
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As the old saying goes, courage is contagious.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
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Strapping’s product mix is equal parts practical and playful, from tasteful housewares to apparel and linens with sassy sayings.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
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Two sides of the building are clad in giant words, the letters 5 feet tall, drawn from his 2015 speech marking the 50th anniversary of the civil rights marches from Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
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The ambiguity of Chinese, the way meaning pools in the spaces between words, resists translation.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Noun
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But that’s the world’s most popular game in 2026, intent on testing the old coaching maxim that failing to prepare is preparing to fail.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
11 June 2026
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But, in a democracy, deciding whether the creation of the fund violates the moral maxim that no one can be a judge in his or her own cause ultimately will be up to the people.—
Austin Sarat,
Fortune,
24 May 2026
Noun
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Calls to mind the adage that people who live in glass houses ought not throw stones!—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
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Yamal is most likely your favorite player’s favorite player to watch, to steal a somewhat corny adage.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
10 June 2026
Noun
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His social commentary reflected disgust with the unfettered capitalism of the Gilded Age, and his cynical aphorisms became widely quoted.—
Peter Hessler,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
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The statement is one among many hard-hitting aphorisms that ring devastatingly true for the state of our current world, as late-stage capitalism widens the gap between haves and have-nots, creating unsustainable conditions for millions of people.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Noun
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What the 1956 motto does best is embolden pastors and politicians who repeat the tired myth that the United States is a Christian nation.—
David Williamson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2026
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The campaign motto, Her Şey Çok Güzel Olacak (Everything will be fine) now sounded sad.—
Kaya Genç,
The Dial,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Proverb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proverb. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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