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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of maxim
But the maxim applies in a different way in the documentary Fork in the Road, which made its world premiere Saturday at the Sonoma International Film Festival in California’s wine country.
—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Mar. 2026
By now, decades into Americans’ pursuit of cooking as a mainstream hobby, certain maxims have become near-law among food lovers.
—
Emily Heil,
Washington Post,
25 Mar. 2026
Ash found success by attending revival-style sales conventions and memorizing every smile, wink, and maxim in the Stanley songbook.
—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
There are three problems with this maxim.
—
Tad Friend,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Mar. 2026
By now, decades into Americans’ pursuit of cooking as a mainstream hobby, certain maxims have become near-law among food lovers.
—
Emily Heil,
Washington Post,
25 Mar. 2026
Ash found success by attending revival-style sales conventions and memorizing every smile, wink, and maxim in the Stanley songbook.
—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
There are three problems with this maxim.
—
Tad Friend,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
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?
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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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Their advice and memorable sayings reveal lessons of perseverance, faith and integrity — values that continue to influence generations that follow.
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As the saying goes, all press is good press, and in the time between when the announcement was made and now, many of Lambrini Girls’ original concert venues were rebooked into larger spaces.
Noun
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Over the next year, expect to see a few more invasive BCI companies launch similar clinical trials with the goal of translating mental activity into spoken words.
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The war-weariness in Sadeq’s words reflects the exhaustion felt throughout Lebanon, but especially among the Shiites who form a third of its 6 million residents.
Noun
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A little less 2020s, a little more early aughts—that's the motto of this year's summer season.
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Our original motto made no claim about what Americans believed about God.
Noun
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But do consider the words of the first adage, too.
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And also the adage that luck is when preparation meets opportunity.
Cite this Entry
“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxim. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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