as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
it's a common maxim that "a watched pot never boils," but that's not literally true
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Recent Examples of maxim
Christie’s 20th century evening sale on Tuesday, which totaled $486 million with a sell through rate of 92 percent by value and 83 percent by lot, certainly proved that maxim true.
—
George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 20 Nov. 2024
This maxim holds just as true in cyber security as in sports.
—Phillimon Zongo, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
There’s the old maxim that country music more than any other genre is about storytelling.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024
That and the state’s maxim—The Greatest Snow On Earth—broadcasted on every souvenir item possible isn’t overselling how preposterously light and fluffy the powder is here, or how much of it falls annually (up to 500 inches).
—Scott Bay, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for maxim
George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 20 Nov. 2024
This maxim holds just as true in cyber security as in sports.
—Phillimon Zongo, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
There’s the old maxim that country music more than any other genre is about storytelling.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024
That and the state’s maxim—The Greatest Snow On Earth—broadcasted on every souvenir item possible isn’t overselling how preposterously light and fluffy the powder is here, or how much of it falls annually (up to 500 inches).
—Scott Bay, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maxim
Noun
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The German proverb, roughly translated into English, means: Steady dripping caves the stone.—
Gabby Herzig,
The Athletic,
2 Jan. 2025
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But remember, where there’s fire, there’s smoke, which may be a reversal of the standard proverb but is highly relevant here.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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As the old saying goes, the best defence is a good offence.—
Allan Mitchell,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
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As the old saying goes: When life gives you lemons, make Whiskey Sours.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Trump and Zelenskyy exchanged sharp words during the week.—
Zac Anderson,
USA TODAY,
22 Feb. 2025
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Waiting for Vance beneath a low arch, in front of a gate that had the words arbeit macht frei set into its ironwork, was Abba Naor, a survivor of the camp.—
Massimo Calabresi/Dachau,
TIME,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
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His time in the US Army Special Forces cemented his duty of care, a life mission that comes from the Green Berets’ motto: De Oppresso Liber (‘to free the oppressed’).—
Kody Boye,
USA TODAY,
15 Feb. 2025
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That is the motto of your presidency: the best and the brightest, the most intelligent, coming into these spaces.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
2 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Like the old adage about waiting a long time for a bus only to have three show up at once, Dries Van Noten — nearly glacial in the past regarding store openings — has four in the cards this year.—
Miles Socha,
WWD,
25 Feb. 2025
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The plus for Wrexham comes via the old adage ‘form is temporary but class is permanent’, with O’Connell having featured in 11 of those 12 clean sheets in the league this season and Cleworth in 10.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxim. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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