as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
it's a common maxim that "a watched pot never boils," but that's not literally true
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 maxim
That violates another maxim commonly taught in families, schools and religious venues everywhere: Those who can should help those in need.
—
Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
At a place as small as McCabe’s — smaller, even, by far than the El Rey, where Burnett last officially played in 2006 — a statement like that could count as more than just a passing maxim.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 13 May 2025
War is hell — and Warfare does its damnedest to honor that old maxim.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Here, 20 Forbes Coaches Council members share some essential maxims for senior leaders to follow when offering feedback to direct reports, along with why these principles are so useful for providing guidance to build strong, high-performing teams.
1.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
At a place as small as McCabe’s — smaller, even, by far than the El Rey, where Burnett last officially played in 2006 — a statement like that could count as more than just a passing maxim.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 13 May 2025
War is hell — and Warfare does its damnedest to honor that old maxim.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Here, 20 Forbes Coaches Council members share some essential maxims for senior leaders to follow when offering feedback to direct reports, along with why these principles are so useful for providing guidance to build strong, high-performing teams.
1.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maxim
Noun
-
The Giants have one of the least-talented and most expensive offensive lines in the entire NFL There's an old NFL proverb that suggests games are won and lost in the trenches.—
Geoffrey Knox,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
-
Nobody plots against anyone, but nobody invokes ancient proverbs, either.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
Sunlight, as the saying goes, is the best disinfectant.—
Tom Blakely,
Boston Herald,
27 June 2025
-
The better version of this saying is to iterate fast.—
Abdo Riani,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
More important would be whether China and Russia took any stronger action against the United States beyond words.—
Matthew Tostevin
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 June 2025
-
Those were words disgraced Pittsburgh financial advisor Marty Blazer lived by.—
Guy Lawson,
Rolling Stone,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
That is essentially the motto for St. Laurence’s entire lineup.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2025
-
In other words, Essence Festival 2025 is around the corner, prompting the motto of wearing less and going out more.—
Tatayana Yomary,
Essence,
12 June 2025
Noun
-
The familiar adage from airplane safety demonstrations holds: put your oxygen mask on before helping others.—
Julia Korn,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
-
The Nuggets are counting on the old adage about quarterbacks not applying to general managers.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxim. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share