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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Punk sayings and doodles are used as embroidery and prints for dresses, sweatshirts, and denim.—
Felicity Carter,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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One of Keith Burckhardt’s sayings, still, is burned into Russell Mayor Hilary Buchert’s head.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The first sentence has something like 31 words and takes a while to say, let alone read and digest.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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And, Governor, again, powerful words.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Proverbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proverbs. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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