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
For nine months, Erasmus spent his short nights in a modest dorm and his long days in the print shop, expanding on his collection of proverbs Adagiorum chiliades while Aldus proofread, craftsman carefully laying sets of print and rolling paper through the press.
—
Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025
Includes quirky facts, adages, advice, quotes and proverbs, as well as articles about mistletoe, bird nests, perennials, timekeeping, recipes and more.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
The lyrics, some inspired by proverbs and biblical passages, convey the fervor of his first love with God, without losing his personal touch.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2025
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
Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025
Includes quirky facts, adages, advice, quotes and proverbs, as well as articles about mistletoe, bird nests, perennials, timekeeping, recipes and more.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
The lyrics, some inspired by proverbs and biblical passages, convey the fervor of his first love with God, without losing his personal touch.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proverbs
Noun
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So, as media day unfolded Saturday, the coach offered a flow of cliches and sayings.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
17 Jan. 2026
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The Allen family has several sayings.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Numbers are used to represent words, and the association among words is also represented via numbers.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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The script is filled with tired tropes and doesn’t set up JayDee in a way that showcases his natural presence or way with words.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Proverbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proverbs. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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