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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The reason can be explained by a Japanese proverb about the importance of leaving no mess.
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Popeye the Sailor Man has been guzzling spinach since 1931 to build muscle, while the apple-a-day advice derives from a 19th-century Welsh proverb.
Noun
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One popular saying suggests a knot tied on a rainy day is harder to untie.
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But your abhorrence of the outcomes of particular elections doesn’t justify your saying, Well, the hell with that.
Noun
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When word spread that Swift attended Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley's 2023 wedding on the New Jersey shore, hundreds of fans and photographers descended on the quiet beach community.
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Review a bill, then send a polite message that clarifies terms, because simple words protect value and invite respectful responses.
Noun
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That line is more than a practical outdoor maxim.
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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 6 Jul. 2026.
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