as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
it's a common maxim that "a watched pot never boils," but that's not literally true
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Recent Examples of maxim
Manfred has bucked that maxim before, with success.
—
Andy McCullough, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
That medical maxim, taught to physicians for ages, would serve Florida well if the Legislature were to adopt it.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
Lobby or be lobbied over is a maxim local governments continue bringing to the table today.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 22 Dec. 2025
The maxim was reflected in statements by many Dudek employees, who participated in an anonymous survey.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Andy McCullough, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
That medical maxim, taught to physicians for ages, would serve Florida well if the Legislature were to adopt it.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
Lobby or be lobbied over is a maxim local governments continue bringing to the table today.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 22 Dec. 2025
The maxim was reflected in statements by many Dudek employees, who participated in an anonymous survey.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maxim
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?—
Ian Irving,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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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.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This is just like the old saying, ‘pave paradise and put up a parking lot’.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
22 Mar. 2026
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While Haiti is the most mountainous country in the Caribbean, the saying is often used to reflect the immense and constant obstacles Haiti has had to overcome.—
Kathleen Rellihan,
Outside,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Mostly Mute Monday tells an astronomical story in images, visuals, and no more than 200 words.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Mar. 2026
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March 21 – April 19 Speak what matters without rushing your words.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That observation, made in a CharlotteFive feature on Brooks’ Sandwich House, could serve as the unofficial motto of a city that has spent the better part of two decades in a full sprint toward the future.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Mar. 2026
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Arkansas has become a leader in this anti-democracy celebration, with a Legislature, governor, attorney general, and state Supreme Court not only ready, willing, and able, but downright eager to enact, implement, defend, and uphold legislation designed to make a mockery of our official motto.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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She’s grown wise during her absence, sharing in this smoldering, ‘90s-redolent track that some bridges are worth burning, despite the adage.—
Melinda Newman,
Billboard,
16 Mar. 2026
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It’s often said that age is just a number, and a new Netflix reality dating series will soon put the old adage to the test by taking age entirely out of the courting equation.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxim. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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