as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
Benjamin Franklin's famous epigram, "Remember that time is money"
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of epigram
That celebrated epigram is delivered by the character of Octave, who is the greatest creation of Renoir’s career—not least because he’s played by Renoir in a performance that’s essentially a self-portrait, even an onscreen self-creation.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 July 2025
It’s been codified as myths, proverbs, clichés, epigrams, parables; the skeleton of every great story.
—Jann E. Freed, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Her poems of that era — sonnets, epigrams, eminently quotable snippets of rhymed gossip — pulse with the dynamism and attitude of the modern city.
—A.o. Scott, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Throughout, Snook hams for laughs, turning Wilde’s witticisms and epigrams into slapstick.
—Christian Lewis, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
On his plane plastered with Trumpian epigrams, Vance makes the case for Trump’s second-term vision of enhanced executive power.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 26 Sep. 2024
No one could tell the clock by him; no one could quote an epigram of his; no one could ever remember his being a friend of their daddy—or even their granddaddy.
—E. L. Doctorow, The New Yorker, 1 July 2024
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 July 2025
It’s been codified as myths, proverbs, clichés, epigrams, parables; the skeleton of every great story.
—Jann E. Freed, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Her poems of that era — sonnets, epigrams, eminently quotable snippets of rhymed gossip — pulse with the dynamism and attitude of the modern city.
—A.o. Scott, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Throughout, Snook hams for laughs, turning Wilde’s witticisms and epigrams into slapstick.
—Christian Lewis, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
On his plane plastered with Trumpian epigrams, Vance makes the case for Trump’s second-term vision of enhanced executive power.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 26 Sep. 2024
No one could tell the clock by him; no one could quote an epigram of his; no one could ever remember his being a friend of their daddy—or even their granddaddy.
—E. L. Doctorow, The New Yorker, 1 July 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epigram
Noun
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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
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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
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Since 1994 the percentage of Republicans who identify as very conservative or conservative has grown from around 60% to 77% with 18% saying moderate (down from around 32%) and, somewhat remarkably, 4% as liberal or very liberal (down from around 9%).—
Robert G. Eccles,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Critics may not crown it the season’s darling, but, as the saying goes, critics don’t vote for the Oscars.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Asked at the time by The Athletic to explain the decision to leave Enciso out, Hurzeler did not mince his words.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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With words like these, act fast on this deal!—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The aphorism is likely to be particularly appreciated by those residents of increasingly common micro-apartments, who otherwise might be without a residence, or sharing a living space with parents or roommates.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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Pathei mathos, which appears in Aeschylus’ play Agamemnon, is an aphorism about wisdom.—
Meghan O’Gieblyn,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Epigram.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epigram. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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