as in proverbs
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
there's an old saying that you should let sleeping dogs lie
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Recent Examples of sayings
Countless sayings have likened friends to our most precious commodities—safety, home, even precious metals—for good reason.
—
Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 31 Mar. 2026
Blue-and-white minibuses, inscribed with misspelt movie quotes and popular local sayings, snaked through the congestion on the narrow road in front of them.
—Literary Hub, 27 Mar. 2026
Taking what the defense gives you is one of the oldest sayings in the NBA book.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Holtz was quick with inspirational sayings, humor, and self-depreciation that was an act, but oh so charming.
—Mac Engel
march 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
In the early years of Islam, when states hardly existed as such in the Arab world, Sharia helped communities to manage their own affairs, based on a set of guidelines drawn from the Quran and on the sayings of the Prophet.
—Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
That these sayings are meant to reflect something both deep and asinine about the film itself is self-evident.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Feb. 2026
Today, the writings come in the form of cards and sweet sayings on candy.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
So, as media day unfolded Saturday, the coach offered a flow of cliches and sayings.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 31 Mar. 2026
Blue-and-white minibuses, inscribed with misspelt movie quotes and popular local sayings, snaked through the congestion on the narrow road in front of them.
—Literary Hub, 27 Mar. 2026
Taking what the defense gives you is one of the oldest sayings in the NBA book.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Holtz was quick with inspirational sayings, humor, and self-depreciation that was an act, but oh so charming.
—Mac Engel
march 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
In the early years of Islam, when states hardly existed as such in the Arab world, Sharia helped communities to manage their own affairs, based on a set of guidelines drawn from the Quran and on the sayings of the Prophet.
—Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
That these sayings are meant to reflect something both deep and asinine about the film itself is self-evident.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Feb. 2026
Today, the writings come in the form of cards and sweet sayings on candy.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
So, as media day unfolded Saturday, the coach offered a flow of cliches and sayings.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sayings
Noun
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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,
Literary Hub,
24 Nov. 2025
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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
Noun
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These words are fascinating to consider in relation to Soderbergh, who has flitted among genres and subjects with a facility that is easily mistaken for dilettantism, or even ventriloquism.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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Clever Mercury in your sign trines lucky Jupiter in your 5th House of Delight, giving your words a playful glow and encouraging authentic self-expression.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sayings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sayings. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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