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aphorism

noun

ˈa-fə-ˌri-zəm How to pronounce aphorism (audio)
Definition of aphorismnext
as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience what does the aphorism "Hindsight is 20/20" mean?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 aphorism In the face of climate change, such woo woo aphorisms seem ridiculous, naive, and cruel. — Josh Fox, IndieWire, 17 July 2026 Cruyff came up with many aphorisms over the course of his life. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 June 2026 In romance, Tolstoy’s aphorism about the family is reversed. — Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 27 June 2026 Politics is no refuge for those allergic to the viral aphorism. — Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aphorism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aphorism
  1. proverb
  2. saying
  3. word
  4. maxim
Noun
  • That proverb, attributed to everyone from Yogi Berra to a Danish Nobel laureate, springs to mind whenever someone asks me about an upcoming NFL season.
    — Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • An ancient proverb notes that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of proverb
Noun
  • As the saying goes, anything is possible under the Friday Night Lights.
    — Staff report, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Well, ‘It’s been emotional’ has become one of the British icon sayings of movie history, which is fantastic.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of saying
Noun
  • Apparently the trick is to react more to the tone and tempo of the voice, rather than necessarily the precise words.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The same poll found belief that data centers raise electricity bills jumped from 43% in January to nearly 60% by July—six months before Apollo or Morgan Stanley published a word of this research.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of word
Noun
  • Living by a maxim that equated failure with opportunity, Brees exhibited a knack for turning tribulation into triumph.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The walls are robin’s-egg blue, painted with images of meditating skeletons and vaguely inspirational maxims.
    — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026
Definition of maxim

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Cite this Entry

“Aphorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aphorism. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on aphorism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aphorism

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