as in sayings
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
her grandfather has a proverb for every occasion
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Recent Examples of proverbs
Reading Proverbs did not manage to enlighten me to the possibility that my parents’ rules were devised in my best interest.
—
Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
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
Ecclesiastes, also a wisdom book, has a very different perspective from Proverbs.
—Walt Shelton, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
There’s a line in Proverbs that says that, ‘Death and life are in the hands of the tongue’.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 23 May 2025
There is the beautiful proverb about the woman of strength (Proverbs 31:10-31), that is perhaps the most eloquent text on women in the Bible.
—Arkansas Online, 9 May 2025
One Eagles assistant coach alluded to Proverbs 27:7 on Monday, furthering illustrating Wade's point.
—Paul Skrbina, The Tennessean, 27 Nov. 2024
As the Book of Proverbs says, without wood, there is no fire.
—Arlie Russell Hochschild, TIME, 12 Sep. 2024
From Sabri, who made check-in feel like catching up with an old friend, to the beach attendants who noticed my African Proverbs hat and shared an African proverb with me.
—Devine Blacksher, Essence, 9 Sep. 2024
Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
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
Ecclesiastes, also a wisdom book, has a very different perspective from Proverbs.
—Walt Shelton, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
There’s a line in Proverbs that says that, ‘Death and life are in the hands of the tongue’.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 23 May 2025
There is the beautiful proverb about the woman of strength (Proverbs 31:10-31), that is perhaps the most eloquent text on women in the Bible.
—Arkansas Online, 9 May 2025
One Eagles assistant coach alluded to Proverbs 27:7 on Monday, furthering illustrating Wade's point.
—Paul Skrbina, The Tennessean, 27 Nov. 2024
As the Book of Proverbs says, without wood, there is no fire.
—Arlie Russell Hochschild, TIME, 12 Sep. 2024
From Sabri, who made check-in feel like catching up with an old friend, to the beach attendants who noticed my African Proverbs hat and shared an African proverb with me.
—Devine Blacksher, Essence, 9 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proverbs
Noun
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The mistake is writing off these sayings as coach speak.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
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Hats, t-shirts, jerseys, wristbands, belts, and much more featuring John Cena's logos and sayings are now available to fans.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Bruce Springsteen didn’t mince words at the premiere of his new biopic.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
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Hollywood actor Henry Golding also spent years penning words of wisdom from strangers on the fly, finding power behind the random musings of locals to coveted writers.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Proverbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proverbs. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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