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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of maxim
The maxim for so long in international trade has been to remove all sand from the gears.
—
Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
But, of course, seeing one of our best musical comediennes so deliciously live out the maxim that all is vanity is especially a treat for Hilty heads who’ve longed to see her in a Broadway production that lives up to the title of her former TV series.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Apr. 2025
La Fontaine’s focus on animals and penchant for moral maxims must have immediately attracted her.
—Susan Gubar
june 9, Literary Hub, 9 June 2025
For all the screenwriting manuals and maxims that insist on character goals and motivations and missions and all those things we’re supposed to have in real life too, there can be something riveting about a character with no plan at all.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
But, of course, seeing one of our best musical comediennes so deliciously live out the maxim that all is vanity is especially a treat for Hilty heads who’ve longed to see her in a Broadway production that lives up to the title of her former TV series.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Apr. 2025
La Fontaine’s focus on animals and penchant for moral maxims must have immediately attracted her.
—Susan Gubar
june 9, Literary Hub, 9 June 2025
For all the screenwriting manuals and maxims that insist on character goals and motivations and missions and all those things we’re supposed to have in real life too, there can be something riveting about a character with no plan at all.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maxim
Noun
-
That ancient proverb captures the mindset of American investors eyeing the Middle East as a global growth engine.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
A certain proverb about glass houses comes to mind.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
There’s another way of measuring the sandwich's size, borrowing from a ubiquitous saying about eating.—
Amanda Hancock,
The Courier-Journal,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Of course—as the saying goes—Paris is never a bad idea, and a trip to the city isn't complete without indulging in good French cheese, hunting for vintage goods at an antique market, and people-watching at one of the outdoor cafes.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Humor that has been lost from the words themselves is reinfused via prop comedy — Toby and Andrew do whippits and snort coke in a hot tub; the irate Malvolio demolishes their stash with a hair dryer — but Conlee’s Toby feels underpowered, and Ferguson’s Aguecheek lacks pathos.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Garcia logged into his X account and typed three words.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The town’s unofficial motto adorns a hat in the team store at Bowman Park.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
-
The simple motto represents the entire purpose and meaning of the show.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
If the old adage proves true that change is the only certainty in an more unpredictable future, that bodes well for adaptation.—
Alexander C. Kaufman,
The Atlantic,
11 Aug. 2025
-
There’s an old adage about parenthood and the passage of time: the days are long, but the years are short.—
Essence,
Essence,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxim. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share