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 architect of the Phillies has a saying.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Little sayings like that get you through the rough patches.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Rather than being words on a wall, for example, these leadership behaviors come up in performance reviews.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
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On the line level, there are countless word choice combinations to convey the same meaning (check out Reading Rilke by William Gass).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 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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As the popular adage goes, Superman is not walking through that door.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 Oct. 2025
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Sprinters Noah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield are implementing this adage and taking it even further by celebrating a spiritual milestone — getting baptized together.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
3 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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The rallying cry from Shakespeare’s Henry V, ahead of the Battle of Agincourt, might as well be the motto of today’s artificial intelligence elites.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
7 Oct. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Proverb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proverb. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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