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."

Related Words

Relevance

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 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 That's The Post's motto, which can be seen in Instagram-able fashion on a parking lot mural behind The Post's original Germantown digs. — Bob Vitale, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Aug. 2026 The company noted most flags were designed decades or centuries ago, back when a seal, a motto, and something that looked dignified on a courthouse lawn was plenty. — Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 2 Aug. 2026 That’s Lauren Carpenter’s motto about the California State Fair’s cannabis consumption area at Cal Expo. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 19 July 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
  • As the saying goes, hurt people hurt people, and Pam hurts a whole lot of people.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Carnegie Hall seats well over 3,000 people, but this intense, no-frills performance film gives life to the old saying about feeling alone in a crowd.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of saying
Noun
  • Stamos had posted a 400-word statement on Instagram Sunday, which Variety reprinted in a previous story.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Every week brings word of a new grift, a new meme coin, a Melania doc, a pay-for-access club, or fresh funds from Gulf grandees looking for leverage.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 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
  • In other words, in both mathematical and religious uses, an oracle provides answers to problems that could not be resolved within an existing system or set of axioms.
    — Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The question fascinated David Hilbert, a renowned mathematician who had devoted much of his life to rebuilding physics on a sturdy foundation of crisp axioms.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of axiom
Noun
  • Casting Bill Burr — the stand-up, who in recent years has repeatedly gone viral for speaking hard truths right to people’s face with all the bluntness of his blue-collar Boston roots — was a whole other layer of wish fulfillment for Sorkin.
    — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Continue reading … JONATHAN TURLEY — France's free speech crackdown shows what happens when politicians define truth.
    — , FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of truth

Browse Nearby Words

mottling
motto
mottoes
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Motto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motto. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on motto

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about motto

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of zenith

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All