as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
a handbook of sententiae and advice for those about to enter the state of matrimony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sententia
Noun
-
What does the phrase squeaky bum time, the racehorse Devon Loch, and the Portuguese proverb ‘morrer na prais’ all have in common?—
Ian Irving,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026 -
The rooms The old Japanese proverb ‘*kachou fuugetsu’—*which translates as ‘flower, bird, wind, moon’ evoking a sense of the transient beauty of nature—is a key concept at the hotel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Pride, the saying goes, comes before a fall.—
Mark Barabak,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
-
As the old saying goes, don’t try to eat an elephant in one bite.—
Bob Rhatigan,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
After the second disallowance, the crowd of 57,741 sang their disapproval with words that can’t be printed in a family newspaper.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
1 June 2026
-
Yet will soon seem to me the defining word of this experience.—
Alexandra Oliva
June 1,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
By greatly expanding the dimensions of his images, with their muted palettes, tight cropping, found symmetries, and laconic wit, had the maestro of the photographic epigram betrayed his subtractive aesthetic?—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
Johnson is the author of the epigrams, but Boswell is very much the co-author.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
But, in a democracy, deciding whether the creation of the fund violates the moral maxim that no one can be a judge in his or her own cause ultimately will be up to the people.—
Austin Sarat,
Fortune,
24 May 2026
-
As the maxim says, De gustibus non disputandum est.—
Ray Ravaglia,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Like the Texas motto, the fashion is bigger here, meaning people aren’t afraid to dress boldly.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
-
His personal motto comes from Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Sententia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sententia. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
