as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
that old adage, "the early bird gets the worm"
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 adage
Christy Crutsinger, a professor in merchandising and digital retailing at University of North Texas, heard the adage from generations of women in her family.
—
Jamie Stengle, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
As the old adage goes, 'Nobody gets fired for buying IBM'—a sentiment that still influences how companies choose large cloud service providers (CSPs).
—Thomas Robinson, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Trust, but verify, as the adage goes.
—Bob Woods, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2025
Billeter and his camera team also obey the old Fred Astaire adage that either the performer has to dance or the camera has to.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adage
Jamie Stengle, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
As the old adage goes, 'Nobody gets fired for buying IBM'—a sentiment that still influences how companies choose large cloud service providers (CSPs).
—Thomas Robinson, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Trust, but verify, as the adage goes.
—Bob Woods, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2025
Billeter and his camera team also obey the old Fred Astaire adage that either the performer has to dance or the camera has to.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adage
Noun
-
Instead, Jeffrey Gahler has turned budget hearings into a sideshow by attacking McCord for scribbling a French version of a familiar proverb during an April meeting.—
Aegis reader commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Aug. 2025
-
In West African traditions, the drum serves as both a musical instrument and a talking messenger, transmitting proverbs, praises, and official announcements in a language that reinforces the chief’s authority and the community’s history.—
Felicia Appenteng,
semafor.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
With $15 and a short saying, Missourians can buy custom tags for their car or truck.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
-
There is a saying that each time memory is recalled and re-told the memory is replaced by the memory of the memory.—
Vineer Bhansali,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Iniki is the Hawaiian word for sharp and piercing wind.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Colleagues described a popular chaplain with nicknames for the tiny patients and soothing words for their bleary-eyed parents.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Sonicare brushing app is proof that this maxim couldn’t be truer.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
29 Aug. 2025
-
There's a maxim in the intelligence community always about speaking truth to power.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adage. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share