as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
what does the aphorism "Hindsight is 20/20" mean?
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Recent Examples of aphorism
The book, taking the form of a fable told in short, single paragraphs, scattershot swatches of wisdom, aphorisms and illustrations, has long been a manual for how to practice togetherness in the face of extreme, oppressive opposition.
—
Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 20 Jan. 2025
The books were silly, designed to entertain, but also filled with aphorisms that forced you to pause for a moment or two.
—John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025
The perfect vague yet totally true aphorism to throw at any put-down.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 31 Jan. 2025
The marketing taglines that bear the same force and resonance as elders’ aphorisms: 1010 WINS, American Express, Calgon.
—Alexandra Jacobs, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aphorism
Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 20 Jan. 2025
The books were silly, designed to entertain, but also filled with aphorisms that forced you to pause for a moment or two.
—John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025
The perfect vague yet totally true aphorism to throw at any put-down.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 31 Jan. 2025
The marketing taglines that bear the same force and resonance as elders’ aphorisms: 1010 WINS, American Express, Calgon.
—Alexandra Jacobs, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aphorism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aphorism
Noun
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It’s been codified as myths, proverbs, clichés, epigrams, parables; the skeleton of every great story.—
Jann E. Freed,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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The Giants have one of the least-talented and most expensive offensive lines in the entire NFL There's an old NFL proverb that suggests games are won and lost in the trenches.—
Geoffrey Knox,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Remember the old saying: Red and yellow, kill a fellow; red and black, friend of Jack.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
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As the saying goes, crisis represents both danger and opportunity.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Friends and family flooded the comments with words of sympathy and cherished memories of Page.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
1 July 2025
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In this superb biography, Joanne Paul goes back to the words More wrote himself, to try and get at More before fame and the accusations against him took hold.—
Gabrielle Bellot,
Literary Hub,
1 July 2025
Noun
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Kennedy’s views of individual ingredients oscillate between commonsense dietary maxims and conspiratorial musings.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
23 June 2025
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The maxim for so long in international trade has been to remove all sand from the gears.—
Ken Roberts,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aphorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aphorism. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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