motto

noun

Definition of mottonext
as in proverb
a short sentence or phrase that expresses a rule guiding the behavior of a particular person or group "Hope for the best and prepare for the worst" is my motto. The Scout motto is "Be prepared."

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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 motto And now there are secrets that are imparted during the rituals, like the secret of what the meaning of the motto is, and that sort of thing. — Richard Hall, Time, 7 Oct. 2026 That might be the unofficial motto of the USC Trojans football program since the end of the Pete Carroll era, though with some slight tweaks here and there. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2026 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 That has been Buffalo Theatre Ensemble’s motto since the late director and College of DuPage educator Craig Berger founded the equity ensemble 40 years ago. — Barbara Vitello, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for motto
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motto
  1. proverb
  2. saying
  3. word
  4. maxim
  5. axiom
  6. truth
Noun
  • In American sports, namely college and professional football, head coaches often land on one singular proverb after a victory.
    — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of proverb
Noun
  • One of my favorite sayings came from a wetsuit ad for Body Glove in SURFER magazine back in the mid 1960s that featured Mickey Munoz.
    — Corky Carroll, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Put junk into it, and more junk will come out, as the saying goes.
    — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of saying
Noun
  • Rifugio, the Italian word for shelter or escape, opened in 2025 to provide a community space with a focus on fitness and self-care.
    — Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Those three words were repeated over and over in the first half of Carolina’s 26-21 loss to the Denver Broncos in Bank of America Stadium.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of word
Noun
  • The mindful alignment of body and mind is the guiding maxim of the spa.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • There’s little evidence that Ampere Analysis’ maxim, coined a couple of years ago – a contracting sector chasing a 75% of peak TV business – has not changed.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of maxim
Noun
  • The second axiom of quantum mechanics is called the measurement postulate.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • What motivates voters Extensive research confirms the axiom that a sense of civic duty is the strongest predictor of whether someone will vote.
    — Christopher Miller, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of axiom
Noun
  • San Diego professes pride in high graduation rates, but this is a chimera hiding the sad truth of how far our educational leaders will go to look good.
    — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The hard truth is that homelessness is the result of a raft of problems beyond any mayor’s full control.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of truth

Browse Nearby Words

mottling
motto
mottoes
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Cite this Entry

“Motto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motto. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on motto

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about motto

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