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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Everybody uses that as a saying.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Sep. 2025
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But, as the saying goes, that's what makes a market.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Before that, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet and Gilles Simon — the other three of the four Mousquetaires of French men’s tennis — have sent Monfils off into his last season with some kind words.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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One-word answers litter the path toward your desperate, fumbling attempt to get away.—
Jonny Thomson,
Big Think,
1 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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Birds of a feather flock together, the adage goes.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
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The adage about the key to gardening success being to put the right plant in the right place has never been truer.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Which brings us back to the twin aphorisms that began this piece.—
George Pesansky,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
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The aphorism is likely to be particularly appreciated by those residents of increasingly common micro-apartments, who otherwise might be without a residence, or sharing a living space with parents or roommates.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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According to the runway show's website, this year's event centered on reimagining a classic French motto.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
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Ohio State won a national championship eight months ago, but there’s a motto going around the players that last year doesn’t matter because this team hasn’t accomplished anything yet.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Proverb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proverb. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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