variants
also mottos
as in sayings
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 mottoes
Over time, it's only woven itself deeper into the fabric of American cultural consciousness, spawning new memes, mottos, and social media trends each year.
—
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025
These pithy mottos are accompanied by three state seal recommendations that look as though they had been composed during kindergarten just before nap time.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025
These pithy mottos are accompanied by three state seal recommendations that look as though they had been composed during kindergarten just before nap time.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mottoes
Noun
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Amish are part of the wider Anabaptist movement, which puts heavy emphasis on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, containing some of his most radical and counter-cultural sayings — to love enemies, live simply, bless persecutors, turn the other cheek and to endure sufferings joyfully.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
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The Workers’ Party of Korea is the sole ruling party of North Korea, blending communism with the words, sayings and ideals of the Kim dynasty, who have imposed their authoritarian rule on the country for three generations.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Includes quirky facts, adages, advice, quotes and proverbs, as well as articles about mistletoe, bird nests, perennials, timekeeping, recipes and more.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
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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
Noun
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There would be no breakup, no hard words, no goodbyes.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
2 Nov. 2025
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As Guerrero finished, Bichette stepped to his locker, uttering his final few words, too.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Everything bops breezily along, stopping occasionally to have Dek growl maxims about strength through domination, and observe a decapitation or two.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
4 Nov. 2025
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Visitors who travel down a dirt road to The Hollow — named for the hollow-core concrete that made Mellor wealthy — can enter the compound through a dark, cavernous passage lined with neon signs illuminating maxims from the likes of Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, and Flynn.—
Arthur Allen,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mottoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mottoes. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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