as in saying
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
her grandfather has a proverb for every occasion
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of proverb
In West African traditions, the drum serves as both a musical instrument and a talking messenger, transmitting proverbs, praises, and official announcements in a language that reinforces the chief’s authority and the community’s history.
—
Felicia Appenteng, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2025
A certain proverb about glass houses comes to mind.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
In other words, the proverb about teaching old dogs new tricks seemed personally apt.
—Thomas Cangelosi, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025
The book’s prose is inspired by proverbs and sections from the Old Testament, as well as McConaughey’s own daydreams, nightmares and musings.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for proverb
Felicia Appenteng, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2025
A certain proverb about glass houses comes to mind.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
In other words, the proverb about teaching old dogs new tricks seemed personally apt.
—Thomas Cangelosi, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025
The book’s prose is inspired by proverbs and sections from the Old Testament, as well as McConaughey’s own daydreams, nightmares and musings.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for proverb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proverb
Noun
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The friends who are giving their commentary don’t have a penny in that nickel, as the saying goes.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
12 Oct. 2025
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The saying, ‘never meet your heroes’ simply does not apply here.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Published in English, French, and German, the letters can range from a few hundred to 1,500 words, depending on how feisty Karp is feeling.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
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Since their 23-9 win Sunday against the Browns, the Steelers have not minced words when describing the playing surface for the game.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And how does Simonson feel about my own Martini maxim: that it must be served with an odd number of olives, while an even number represents the apocalypse.—
Adam Morganstern,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The Sonicare brushing app is proof that this maxim couldn’t be truer.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The second round is a bigger swing, a bolder gambit all the way around, really, and not just because it’s based on a high-stakes example of the adage about asking for forgiveness being better than waiting for permission.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
18 Oct. 2025
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The last one – the last out of a game, say, or the last victory in a playoff series – is considered the hardest one to achieve, if old adages and the like are to be believed.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Indeed, Schiffmann was more prone to citing postmodernist aphorisms and artists than famous venture capitalists and tech founders.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
6 Oct. 2025
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Which brings us back to the twin aphorisms that began this piece.—
George Pesansky,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That has always been my motto — that Panama is going to shine.—
Ingrid Fajardo,
Billboard,
13 Oct. 2025
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Another theme Le Goy touched on during the panel, which is fast emerging as a motto of this year’s market, is aggregation as opposed to cannibalization.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Proverb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proverb. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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