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
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Recent Examples of maxim
Manfred has bucked that maxim before, with success.
—
Andy McCullough, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
That medical maxim, taught to physicians for ages, would serve Florida well if the Legislature were to adopt it.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
Lobby or be lobbied over is a maxim local governments continue bringing to the table today.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 22 Dec. 2025
The maxim was reflected in statements by many Dudek employees, who participated in an anonymous survey.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Andy McCullough, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
That medical maxim, taught to physicians for ages, would serve Florida well if the Legislature were to adopt it.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
Lobby or be lobbied over is a maxim local governments continue bringing to the table today.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 22 Dec. 2025
The maxim was reflected in statements by many Dudek employees, who participated in an anonymous survey.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maxim
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?—
Ian Irving,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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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.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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So to get to be playing the character who originated a saying that is a huge part of my vocabulary — and that I’ve been so obsessed with for so long — is crazy.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Mar. 2026
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Models are born, not made, to tweak Simone de Beauvoir’s famous saying.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Mostly Mute Monday tells an astronomical story in images, visuals, and no more than 200 words.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Mar. 2026
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Our daily word puzzle with a plot twist.—
Nasteho Said,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Schumaker is heavily involved with the Jennie Rees Foundation and wears a bracelet featuring the NEGU (Never Ever Give Up) acronym that is the organization’s motto.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
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That became the trip's unofficial motto.—
Lisa A. Beach,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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It’s often said that age is just a number, and a new Netflix reality dating series will soon put the old adage to the test by taking age entirely out of the courting equation.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
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Events far beyond the team’s control have reinforced the adage that the last mile is often the hardest.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxim. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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