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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Recent Examples of motto
Another theme Le Goy touched on during the panel, which is fast emerging as a motto of this year’s market, is aggregation as opposed to cannibalization.
—
K.j. Yossman, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
The motto in the NFL is 'next man up', and the 49ers are as equipped to deal with it as any team.
—Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
One of the earliest artifacts of what would become the independence movement is a teapot, produced in London circa 1766, emblazoned with the motto No Stamp Act.
—Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
And considering the varied richness of his pursuits, there may be no better motto.
—Jazmine Hughes, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motto
K.j. Yossman, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
The motto in the NFL is 'next man up', and the 49ers are as equipped to deal with it as any team.
—Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
One of the earliest artifacts of what would become the independence movement is a teapot, produced in London circa 1766, emblazoned with the motto No Stamp Act.
—Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
And considering the varied richness of his pursuits, there may be no better motto.
—Jazmine Hughes, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motto
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motto
Noun
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The lyrics, some inspired by proverbs and biblical passages, convey the fervor of his first love with God, without losing his personal touch.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
17 Oct. 2025
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His tale has become a proverb for any outdoor fanatic who, despite all of the proper planning and preparation, is undone by forces more powerful than him or herself.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As the saying goes, the pen really is quite mighty.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
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Pro-Palestinian activists view the phrase as a call for global support of Palestinian resistance against Israel, but many Jewish people view the saying as antisemitic and a call for violence.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But Emery’s words about passing too quickly do bear resonance.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Many criticized that Bell's words seemed to downplay domestic violence, which was particularly offensive during Domestic Violence Awareness month.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Sarr’s advocates counter with one of basketball’s maxims: Young centers, especially lanky ones such as Sarr, usually require more time to develop physically than perimeter players.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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And how does Simonson feel about my own Martini maxim: that it must be served with an odd number of olives, while an even number represents the apocalypse.—
Adam Morganstern,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In other words, as Cleveland tore through the league last season, the players responded to most of the milestones reached with a collective shrug and worn axioms about nothing mattering until the playoffs.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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But is that axiom true if someone's only gone a few hours?—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
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After their parents got the police involved, the case remained unsolved for months until the FBI uncovered the shocking truth of who was behind the vicious messages after all.—
James Mercadante,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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For four weeks, Haddish travels with her longtime best friends Selena Martin, Shermona Long, and Sparkle Clark to have a good time, of course, but to also do some bonding, confront some truths, and do some healing.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motto. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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