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
For example, Dick Cheney’s 2008 address to the graduates emphasized the Coast Guard legacy and role in homeland security and commended the class on its motto to defend the Constitution and uphold high standards.
—
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 27 May 2026
The brand is tweaking its longtime motto for its new tie-up with Tinder, which was conceived for Pride Month and is aimed at celebrating love in all forms.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
This personal motto had some unfortunate consequences.
—Inga Bielińska, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The Tribune adopted it in 1940, but Porter’s motto remained largely a regional phenomenon for four decades until CBS broadcaster Brent Musburger, a former Chicago newspaper reporter, began using it during the NCAA tournament in 1982.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for motto
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 27 May 2026
The brand is tweaking its longtime motto for its new tie-up with Tinder, which was conceived for Pride Month and is aimed at celebrating love in all forms.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
This personal motto had some unfortunate consequences.
—Inga Bielińska, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The Tribune adopted it in 1940, but Porter’s motto remained largely a regional phenomenon for four decades until CBS broadcaster Brent Musburger, a former Chicago newspaper reporter, began using it during the NCAA tournament in 1982.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for motto
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motto
Noun
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What does the phrase squeaky bum time, the racehorse Devon Loch, and the Portuguese proverb ‘morrer na prais’ all have in common?—
Ian Irving,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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The rooms The old Japanese proverb ‘*kachou fuugetsu’—*which translates as ‘flower, bird, wind, moon’ evoking a sense of the transient beauty of nature—is a key concept at the hotel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But the saying can also apply in the traditional sense, explaining that favoritism, and biases, are a part of life, society, business and sport, and everyone must find a way to play the hand they are dealt.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
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Age and guile, as the old saying goes, beat youth and skill every time.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
Noun
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The game’s objective is to group words or objects into four groups of four based on commonalities within each group as quickly as possible.—
Mark Cooper,
New York Times,
8 June 2026
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Already, attention must be paid, and italics must be used, because eyepatch Armand is, to use his favorite word, fascinating.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
Noun
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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
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As the maxim says, De gustibus non disputandum est.—
Ray Ravaglia,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
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Everything in mathematics therefore rests on the axioms, or basic building blocks, of the field.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
26 May 2026
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One may argue that a more fundamental theory (with more complete axioms) could decide the question, but the final theory should not have undecidable statements.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
18 May 2026
Noun
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In part, that’s because for much of the history of the three main themes of the anti-vaccine case, there was always at least some truth, something plausible, in these long-standing objections to vaccination.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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This is a perfect example of how facts aren’t the only way to convey truth and how difficult that balance can be.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motto. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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