truism

noun

tru·ism | \ ˈtrü-ˌi-zəm

How to pronounce truism (audio)

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Definition of truism

: an undoubted or self-evident truth especially : one too obvious for mention

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Examples of truism in a Sentence

ended his letter with the overused truism, “You can't win them all!”

Recent Examples on the Web Why this truism requires a book and a new name for capitalism is never quite explained. — Vivek Ramaswamy, WSJ, "‘Stakeholder Capitalism’ Review: The Global, Olympian ‘We’," 25 Jan. 2021 Tuition increases are out of control, and the realities of the modern job market undercut the old truism that income rises with the accumulation of degrees. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, "Column: Canceling student debt should be a slam dunk. Here’s why," 2 Dec. 2020 Another truism put to the test is that in music, major chords are perceived as happier than minor chords. — Dana Mackenzie, Smithsonian Magazine, "How Algorithms Discern Our Mood From What We Write Online," 17 Sep. 2020 But that truism is losing some of its hold in the Amazon, where Mongabay reports a new study found mining now covers more than 20% of indigenous land. — Mark Olalde, USA TODAY, "Climate Point: Low-emission metal, green hydrogen and electric buses," 17 Oct. 2020 Worth remembering, perhaps, is a truism that applies to MLB’s postseason and also the NBA playoffs: Consecutive games rarely resemble each other. — Bruce Jenkins, SFChronicle.com, "Just like that, it’s desperation time for the A’s," 29 Sep. 2020 To rework that old truism about hypocrisy, McConnell’s vice can no longer be bothered to pay tribute to virtue. — Timothy Noah, The New Republic, "The Naive Futility of Calling Out Mitch McConnell’s Hypocrisy," 22 Sep. 2020 With no on-field offseason programs, no preseason games, no extensive hitting in training camps, chaos rather than cohesion could be the truism for blockers. — Barry Wilner, Star Tribune, "Pandemic could lead to pandemonium on offensive lines," 6 Sep. 2020 That truism is confirmed every year, when people who live along the Mississippi offer a meal and a shower to the dozens of strangers who test themselves against Old Man River by paddling small boats from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. — Dean Kilnkenberg, Smithsonian Magazine, "The 70 Million-Year-Old History of the Mississippi River," 19 Aug. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'truism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

31 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Truism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/truism. Accessed 6 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for truism

truism

noun

English Language Learners Definition of truism

: a true statement that is very commonly heard : a common statement that is obviously true

See the full definition for truism in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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