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
Inter Miami’s club motto is an aspirational call to action that the club’s co-founder, Jorge Mas, often points to as the foundation of the MLS side’s ambition.
—
Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
That's the motto of Hunger Busters, a small but well-connected nonprofit in West Dallas.
—Andrea Lucia, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Pruitt said that King's non-violent motto is more important than ever in the current political scene.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 19 Jan. 2026
Some of them are pleading with members of their party to avoid adopting the motto.
—Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motto
Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
That's the motto of Hunger Busters, a small but well-connected nonprofit in West Dallas.
—Andrea Lucia, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Pruitt said that King's non-violent motto is more important than ever in the current political scene.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 19 Jan. 2026
Some of them are pleading with members of their party to avoid adopting the motto.
—Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 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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So to get to be playing the character who originated a saying that is a huge part of my vocabulary — and that I’ve been so obsessed with for so long — is crazy.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Mar. 2026
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Models are born, not made, to tweak Simone de Beauvoir’s famous saying.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Mostly Mute Monday tells an astronomical story in images, visuals, and no more than 200 words.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Mar. 2026
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Our daily word puzzle with a plot twist.—
Nasteho Said,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There are three problems with this maxim.—
Tad Friend,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
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Still, that leaves a substantial audience who will find much to enjoy in this grisly yet sensitive take on the old maxim that every baby is different.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Admittedly, that axiom is being tested in a few locations this year, whether in Philadelphia (VJ Edgecombe, 76ers), Charlotte (Kon Knueppel, Hornets) or Boston (Hugo González, Celtics).—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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The axiom about first getting one’s own house in order before pointing to the fault of others is appropriate here.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The smallest light of truth can banish the darkness.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
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General Daily Insight for March 11, 2026 The smallest light of truth can banish the darkness.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motto. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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