as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
what does the aphorism "Hindsight is 20/20" mean?
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of aphorism
Both its physical abilities and global history actively subvert the philosopher’s aphorism.
—
Andrés Muedano,
JSTOR Daily,
25 Mar. 2026
Vertical white banners bearing Daoist aphorisms and traditional Chinese landscapes adorned the façade.
—
Adam Ciralsky,
Vanity Fair,
19 Mar. 2026
Among the oldest such cultural translations are the Hippocratic aphorisms.
—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
There is no better proof for this aphorism than the American military’s escalating spat with Anthropic, the creator of the artificial-intelligence model Claude.
—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aphorism
Andrés Muedano,
JSTOR Daily,
25 Mar. 2026
Vertical white banners bearing Daoist aphorisms and traditional Chinese landscapes adorned the façade.
—
Adam Ciralsky,
Vanity Fair,
19 Mar. 2026
Among the oldest such cultural translations are the Hippocratic aphorisms.
—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
There is no better proof for this aphorism than the American military’s escalating spat with Anthropic, the creator of the artificial-intelligence model Claude.
—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aphorism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aphorism
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?
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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.
Noun
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Their advice and memorable sayings reveal lessons of perseverance, faith and integrity — values that continue to influence generations that follow.
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As the saying goes, all press is good press, and in the time between when the announcement was made and now, many of Lambrini Girls’ original concert venues were rebooked into larger spaces.
Noun
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Over the next year, expect to see a few more invasive BCI companies launch similar clinical trials with the goal of translating mental activity into spoken words.
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The war-weariness in Sadeq’s words reflects the exhaustion felt throughout Lebanon, but especially among the Shiites who form a third of its 6 million residents.
Noun
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In 1999, the Bank of Japan rewrote that maxim entirely — putting out the biggest punchbowl any major economy had ever seen and leaving it out indefinitely.
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But that’s the world’s most popular game in 2026, intent on testing the old coaching maxim that failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
Cite this Entry
“Aphorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aphorism. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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