Thesaurus results for MAXIM

maxim

noun

ˈmak-səm

Definition of maxim

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

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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 line is more than a practical outdoor maxim. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 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. — Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 11 June 2026 But, in a democracy, deciding whether the creation of the fund violates the moral maxim that no one can be a judge in his or her own cause ultimately will be up to the people. — Austin Sarat, Fortune, 24 May 2026 But that maxim may not hold up this year. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for maxim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for maxim

Noun

The underlying lesson of the proverb dates back at least to the time of the first Olympics in Greece — nearly 3,000 years ago, for those counting at home.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 20 Sep. 2026
That proverb, attributed to everyone from Yogi Berra to a Danish Nobel laureate, springs to mind whenever someone asks me about an upcoming NFL season.

— Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of proverb

Noun

The title is from [the saying] 50 is the youth of old age, but … 40 is the old age of youth.

— Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Alas, poor Bryan is about to learn the hard way that change — as the saying goes — is as hard to outrun as an ever-growing zombie rat king with 37 different limbs and a weirdly personal vendetta.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of saying

Noun

Today’s event featured free merch that included Carhartt shirts, yellow hoodies, and camouflage hats featuring mottos such as Keep the future human and Pro-Human.

— Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026
This year’s motto for the 39th Helsinki International Film Festival – Love & Anarchy stated by Outi Rehn, program director, and Pauliina Ståhlberg, executive director, says it all.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of motto

Noun

If the old Ernest Hemingway adage holds true, that courage equals grace under pressure, then Anna May Wong (1905-1961) had it in spades.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
While the old adage says slow is smooth and smooth is fast, Illinois is lagging far behind progressive states such as New York and Maine that have passed moratoriums on data centers.

— Patrick McNamara, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of adage

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maxillae

maxim

maxima

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“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxim. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of maxim

noun

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