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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of aphorism
Both its physical abilities and global history actively subvert the philosopher’s aphorism.
—
Andrés Muedano,
JSTOR Daily,
25 Mar. 2026
Vertical white banners bearing Daoist aphorisms and traditional Chinese landscapes adorned the façade.
—
Adam Ciralsky,
Vanity Fair,
19 Mar. 2026
Among the oldest such cultural translations are the Hippocratic aphorisms.
—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
There is no better proof for this aphorism than the American military’s escalating spat with Anthropic, the creator of the artificial-intelligence model Claude.
—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aphorism
Andrés Muedano,
JSTOR Daily,
25 Mar. 2026
Vertical white banners bearing Daoist aphorisms and traditional Chinese landscapes adorned the façade.
—
Adam Ciralsky,
Vanity Fair,
19 Mar. 2026
Among the oldest such cultural translations are the Hippocratic aphorisms.
—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
There is no better proof for this aphorism than the American military’s escalating spat with Anthropic, the creator of the artificial-intelligence model Claude.
—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aphorism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aphorism
Noun
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What does the phrase squeaky bum time, the racehorse Devon Loch, and the Portuguese proverb ‘morrer na prais’ all have in common?
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The rooms The old Japanese proverb ‘*kachou fuugetsu’—*which translates as ‘flower, bird, wind, moon’ evoking a sense of the transient beauty of nature—is a key concept at the hotel.
Noun
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Like the saying goes, hurt relieves hurt.
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Many families have their own remedies for treating these pesky bites—but as the old saying goes, prevention is better than the cure.
Noun
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When word spread that Swift attended Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley's 2023 wedding on the New Jersey shore, hundreds of fans and photographers descended on the quiet beach community.
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Review a bill, then send a polite message that clarifies terms, because simple words protect value and invite respectful responses.
Noun
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That line is more than a practical outdoor maxim.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Aphorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aphorism. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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