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
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Recent Examples of motto
In fact, in the days when paychecks were mailed to employees, this emphasis on customer service became a motto.
—
John Beifuss, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Sí Se Puede is the iconic motto of the United Farm Workers of America, which was founded by both Chavez and Huerta.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026
Too seldom is the collective good even an afterthought, E Pluribus Unum a motto untranslated and ignored.
—Rabbi Dan Levin, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
All of it makes the official motto of this place—the Treasure State—far more suitable as a moniker.
—Brad Japhe, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motto
John Beifuss, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Sí Se Puede is the iconic motto of the United Farm Workers of America, which was founded by both Chavez and Huerta.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026
Too seldom is the collective good even an afterthought, E Pluribus Unum a motto untranslated and ignored.
—Rabbi Dan Levin, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
All of it makes the official motto of this place—the Treasure State—far more suitable as a moniker.
—Brad Japhe, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 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 my curiosity proved stronger than my nay-saying.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
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Readers share Mother's Day advice, funny sayings and expressions from moms.—
Letters to the Editor,
Washington Post,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Alex Jenkinson, 39, is accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behavior toward the former prince, whose royal titles were removed last year by King Charles III due to his connections to Jeffrey Epstein.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
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Each puzzle has exactly one solution, so watch out for words or items that seem to belong to multiple categories!—
Mark Cooper,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Noun
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But that maxim may not hold up this year.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
27 Apr. 2026
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But the maxim applies in a different way in the documentary Fork in the Road, which made its world premiere Saturday at the Sonoma International Film Festival in California’s wine country.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Each starts from its own axioms, and those axioms can be diametrically opposed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
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Trust but Verify The old Ronald Regan axiom is so true for business.—
Domenic Rom,
Rolling Stone,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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April 20 – May 20 A personal truth could click into place with unusual force today.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
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Continue reading … STANDING FIRM — New York Times defends controversial anti-Israel piece, 'no truth' to retraction claims.—
,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motto. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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