as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
Benjamin Franklin's famous epigram, "Remember that time is money"
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of epigram
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
It’s been codified as myths, proverbs, clichés, epigrams, parables; the skeleton of every great story.
—Jann E. Freed, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Her poems of that era — sonnets, epigrams, eminently quotable snippets of rhymed gossip — pulse with the dynamism and attitude of the modern city.
—A.o. Scott, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Throughout, Snook hams for laughs, turning Wilde’s witticisms and epigrams into slapstick.
—Christian Lewis, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
On his plane plastered with Trumpian epigrams, Vance makes the case for Trump’s second-term vision of enhanced executive power.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 26 Sep. 2024
No one could tell the clock by him; no one could quote an epigram of his; no one could ever remember his being a friend of their daddy—or even their granddaddy.
—E. L. Doctorow, The New Yorker, 1 July 2024
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 July 2025
It’s been codified as myths, proverbs, clichés, epigrams, parables; the skeleton of every great story.
—Jann E. Freed, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Her poems of that era — sonnets, epigrams, eminently quotable snippets of rhymed gossip — pulse with the dynamism and attitude of the modern city.
—A.o. Scott, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Throughout, Snook hams for laughs, turning Wilde’s witticisms and epigrams into slapstick.
—Christian Lewis, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
On his plane plastered with Trumpian epigrams, Vance makes the case for Trump’s second-term vision of enhanced executive power.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 26 Sep. 2024
No one could tell the clock by him; no one could quote an epigram of his; no one could ever remember his being a friend of their daddy—or even their granddaddy.
—E. L. Doctorow, The New Yorker, 1 July 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epigram
Noun
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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
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For centuries, the proverb has reminded us that seeing is believing.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Everybody uses that as a saying.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Sep. 2025
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But, as the saying goes, that's what makes a market.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Before that, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet and Gilles Simon — the other three of the four Mousquetaires of French men’s tennis — have sent Monfils off into his last season with some kind words.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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One-word answers litter the path toward your desperate, fumbling attempt to get away.—
Jonny Thomson,
Big Think,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Which brings us back to the twin aphorisms that began this piece.—
George Pesansky,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
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The aphorism is likely to be particularly appreciated by those residents of increasingly common micro-apartments, who otherwise might be without a residence, or sharing a living space with parents or roommates.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Epigram.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epigram. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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