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
Some posters and signs displayed outside Trump Tower referred to an ancient maxim about the moral obligation to speak out against injustice, Fornari said.
—
Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2025
The celebrity certainly lived up to that maxim.
—Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2025
Such is the folly of an uninformed electorate, vulnerable and exploitable to the maxims of tyranny.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2025
This became a famous, though controversial, legal maxim.
—Fara Dabhoiwala, Harpers Magazine, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2025
The celebrity certainly lived up to that maxim.
—Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2025
Such is the folly of an uninformed electorate, vulnerable and exploitable to the maxims of tyranny.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2025
This became a famous, though controversial, legal maxim.
—Fara Dabhoiwala, Harpers Magazine, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maxim
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 has always been my motto — that Panama is going to shine.—
Ingrid Fajardo,
Billboard,
13 Oct. 2025
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Another theme Le Goy touched on during the panel, which is fast emerging as a motto of this year’s market, is aggregation as opposed to cannibalization.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That old adage about the NBA being a copycat league has aged into cliché at this point.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
10 Oct. 2025
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As the popular adage goes, Superman is not walking through that door.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxim. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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