as in sayings
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
what does the aphorism "Hindsight is 20/20" mean?
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Recent Examples of aphorisms
There are micro-twists within the major ones, expressive fillips that blend confessions and aphorisms, and grand reflections along with jousts of seductive wit.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
Oscar Wilde remains the go-to source of aphorisms for Britons after a quick laugh.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
His music pulls together Tin Pan Alley and 1960s Wall of Sound pop, ticky-tacky drum machines and synths; his storytelling brings a bohemian world into focus through arch aphorisms, dirty jokes and rhymes that scan impeccably.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Vertical white banners bearing Daoist aphorisms and traditional Chinese landscapes adorned the façade.
—Adam Ciralsky, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026
Among the oldest such cultural translations are the Hippocratic aphorisms.
—Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
Nietzsche spoke through Zarathustra, aphorisms, and self-contradiction.
—Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026
Indeed, Schiffmann was more prone to citing postmodernist aphorisms and artists than famous venture capitalists and tech founders.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 6 Oct. 2025
Which brings us back to the twin aphorisms that began this piece.
—George Pesansky, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
Oscar Wilde remains the go-to source of aphorisms for Britons after a quick laugh.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
His music pulls together Tin Pan Alley and 1960s Wall of Sound pop, ticky-tacky drum machines and synths; his storytelling brings a bohemian world into focus through arch aphorisms, dirty jokes and rhymes that scan impeccably.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Vertical white banners bearing Daoist aphorisms and traditional Chinese landscapes adorned the façade.
—Adam Ciralsky, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026
Among the oldest such cultural translations are the Hippocratic aphorisms.
—Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
Nietzsche spoke through Zarathustra, aphorisms, and self-contradiction.
—Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026
Indeed, Schiffmann was more prone to citing postmodernist aphorisms and artists than famous venture capitalists and tech founders.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 6 Oct. 2025
Which brings us back to the twin aphorisms that began this piece.
—George Pesansky, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aphorisms
Noun
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His daughter, Lisa Rodriguez, said he was known for his loud sense of style — his favorite shirt had a rainbow tiger on it — and his funny sayings.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
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The chef wrote around 40 sayings and gathered more from his Instagram followers.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At this year’s Thorpe ceremony, too, Barron and Dennard — men of faith — bonded over Proverbs 27:17, talking about Barron’s future.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 2026
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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
Noun
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Mercury moves through your 1st House of Identity, sharpening your voice and making your words more direct than usual.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
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But, as her words were read out, McGovern sat calmly, with a pencil in his hand, completing a sudoku.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aphorisms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aphorisms. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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