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
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
The rest of the book is spent expanding on these maxims one by one, in her colloquial, easy style, with references to classic psychological studies, her own research and her own experiences.
—Lamorna Ash, The Dial, 25 Nov. 2025
Everything bops breezily along, stopping occasionally to have Dek growl maxims about strength through domination, and observe a decapitation or two.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maxim
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
The rest of the book is spent expanding on these maxims one by one, in her colloquial, easy style, with references to classic psychological studies, her own research and her own experiences.
—Lamorna Ash, The Dial, 25 Nov. 2025
Everything bops breezily along, stopping occasionally to have Dek growl maxims about strength through domination, and observe a decapitation or two.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maxim
Noun
-
But perhaps the night’s theme was best summed up by a proverb, not from Italy, but Coventry’s native continent.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
-
And there’s a proverb, this idea of the secret of getting old.—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
26 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
As the saying goes, a grand jury will indict a ham sandwich.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
-
There’s an old saying that demographics are destiny.—
Dan Walters,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 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 Feb. 2026
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Each puzzle has exactly one solution, so watch out for words or items that seem to belong to multiple categories!—
Mark Cooper,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Our school motto was Faites vos désirs réalités.—
Hari Kunzru,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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Inter Miami’s club motto is an aspirational call to action that the club’s co-founder, Jorge Mas, often points to as the foundation of the MLS side’s ambition.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The old adage that defense wins championships held true as the Seattle Seahawks clobbered the New England Patriots, 29-13, in Super Bowl 60.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
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The adage that records are made to be broken definitely applies to the TV ratings for the Super Bowl.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxim. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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