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
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
The big-picture, keep-it-simple characteristics of this market moment are easy enough to recite like self-help maxims: Inflation continues to retreat more quickly than the economy has slowed.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2024
Here is another useful maxim: Sometimes less is more.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Unfortunately, adhering to that maxim in the era of Trump is a recipe for political suicide.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for maxim 
Scott Bay, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Nov. 2024
The big-picture, keep-it-simple characteristics of this market moment are easy enough to recite like self-help maxims: Inflation continues to retreat more quickly than the economy has slowed.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2024
Here is another useful maxim: Sometimes less is more.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Unfortunately, adhering to that maxim in the era of Trump is a recipe for political suicide.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for maxim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maxim
Noun
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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
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To paraphrase an old proverb, the best time to connect the fights for trans and reproductive rights was decades ago.—
Colleen Hamilton,
Them,
4 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The saying is that even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then.—
Vic Tafur,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
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By Jamie Ducharme January 24, 2025 12:22 PM EST Everything is negotiable, as the saying goes—and that includes medical bills.—
Jamie Ducharme,
TIME,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Jan. 2025
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Connections challenges players to uncover threads connecting a series of words.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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His motto, ‘Dream, Rise, Ignite,’ has become my guiding force, and the mission to complete this cinematic journey has been my dedication ever since.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2025
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Now, more than just the program's motto faces possible revisions.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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An old boxing adage states that a good big man always beats a good little man.—
Carl Anka,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
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To paraphrase William Morris’s adage about only bringing things into one’s home that are both useful and beautiful, the British stationer and leathergoods maker’s accessory more than fits the bill (literally).—
Naomi Rougeau,
Robb Report,
8 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxim. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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