as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
that old adage, "the early bird gets the worm"
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of adage
Mother knows best, the old adage goes.
—
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026
As the adage goes, the road to success is seldom a straight line.
—James Manso, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026
More interesting is the fact that both stations are doing so well, proving the old adage that real competition brings out the best.
—Richard Wagoner, Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
The old stock market adage speaks to the phenomenon in which the May-through-October stretch has seasonally borne out to be the worst six-month period of returns for stocks.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adage
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026
As the adage goes, the road to success is seldom a straight line.
—James Manso, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026
More interesting is the fact that both stations are doing so well, proving the old adage that real competition brings out the best.
—Richard Wagoner, Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
The old stock market adage speaks to the phenomenon in which the May-through-October stretch has seasonally borne out to be the worst six-month period of returns for stocks.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adage
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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But the saying can also apply in the traditional sense, explaining that favoritism, and biases, are a part of life, society, business and sport, and everyone must find a way to play the hand they are dealt.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
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Age and guile, as the old saying goes, beat youth and skill every time.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
Noun
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The game’s objective is to group words or objects into four groups of four based on commonalities within each group as quickly as possible.—
Mark Cooper,
New York Times,
8 June 2026
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Already, attention must be paid, and italics must be used, because eyepatch Armand is, to use his favorite word, fascinating.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
Noun
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But, in a democracy, deciding whether the creation of the fund violates the moral maxim that no one can be a judge in his or her own cause ultimately will be up to the people.—
Austin Sarat,
Fortune,
24 May 2026
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As the maxim says, De gustibus non disputandum est.—
Ray Ravaglia,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adage. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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