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
Still, that leaves a substantial audience who will find much to enjoy in this grisly yet sensitive take on the old maxim that every baby is different.
—
Catherine Bray, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
The United States is currently living out the first half of that maxim.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
Maybe anyone planning long journeys should take those maxims as advice anyhow.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Manfred has bucked that maxim before, with success.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Catherine Bray, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
The United States is currently living out the first half of that maxim.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
Maybe anyone planning long journeys should take those maxims as advice anyhow.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Manfred has bucked that maxim before, with success.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maxim
Noun
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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
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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
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As the saying goes, any publicity is good publicity.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
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There is an old saying that people who represent themselves in court effectively have a fool for a lawyer.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The game’s objective is to group words or objects into four groups of four based on commonalities within each group as quickly as possible.—
Mark Cooper,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Pause briefly, choose your words with intention, and stay on point.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In fact, in the days when paychecks were mailed to employees, this emphasis on customer service became a motto.—
John Beifuss,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
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Sí Se Puede is the iconic motto of the United Farm Workers of America, which was founded by both Chavez and Huerta.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As the adage goes, the road to success is seldom a straight line.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
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More interesting is the fact that both stations are doing so well, proving the old adage that real competition brings out the best.—
Richard Wagoner,
Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxim. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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