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.
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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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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
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Nobody plots against anyone, but nobody invokes ancient proverbs, either.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Noun
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Sunlight, as the saying goes, is the best disinfectant.—
Tom Blakely,
Boston Herald,
27 June 2025
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The better version of this saying is to iterate fast.—
Abdo Riani,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Noun
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Pauline’s ability to inhale the essence of materials like gold and apply it to her voice makes her words more lethal than anything DK can do solo.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
1 July 2025
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Let your words be intentional and your thoughts be clear—especially when involving other people in your mental maze.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
Noun
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But, of course, seeing one of our best musical comediennes so deliciously live out the maxim that all is vanity is especially a treat for Hilty heads who’ve longed to see her in a Broadway production that lives up to the title of her former TV series.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2025
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La Fontaine’s focus on animals and penchant for moral maxims must have immediately attracted her.—
Susan Gubar
June 9,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aphorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aphorism. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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