as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
her mother endlessly repeated the apothegm "cleanliness is next to godliness"
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Recent Examples of apothegm
As with every Together Live speaker, each apothegm is met with exuberant applause.
—
Zoë Ghertner, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2019
Zoë Ghertner, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apothegm
Noun
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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
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On the other hand, perhaps this is one of those rare and unforeseen opportunities that give rise to the proverb of no guts, no glory.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The friends who are giving their commentary don’t have a penny in that nickel, as the saying goes.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
12 Oct. 2025
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The saying, ‘never meet your heroes’ simply does not apply here.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Published in English, French, and German, the letters can range from a few hundred to 1,500 words, depending on how feisty Karp is feeling.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
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Since their 23-9 win Sunday against the Browns, the Steelers have not minced words when describing the playing surface for the game.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That celebrated epigram is delivered by the character of Octave, who is the greatest creation of Renoir’s career—not least because he’s played by Renoir in a performance that’s essentially a self-portrait, even an onscreen self-creation.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 July 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Apothegm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apothegm. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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