variants
also mottos
as in sayings
a short sentence or phrase that expresses a rule guiding the behavior of a particular person or group
"Hope for the best and prepare for the worst" is my motto. The Scout motto is "Be prepared."
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Recent Examples of mottoes
Forty-some years later, his mottos are literally written on the walls.
—
Brody Miller, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
They should then be joined by the Young Republicans who reportedly have been spouting Nazi mottos and ideas.
—Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Some signs listing off team mottos – like staying humble and focusing on themselves — have been taken down over doors.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
Before that there had been three mottoes, all traditional rather than official.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
Over time, it's only woven itself deeper into the fabric of American cultural consciousness, spawning new memes, mottos, and social media trends each year.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025
These pithy mottos are accompanied by three state seal recommendations that look as though they had been composed during kindergarten just before nap time.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Brody Miller, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
They should then be joined by the Young Republicans who reportedly have been spouting Nazi mottos and ideas.
—Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Some signs listing off team mottos – like staying humble and focusing on themselves — have been taken down over doors.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
Before that there had been three mottoes, all traditional rather than official.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
Over time, it's only woven itself deeper into the fabric of American cultural consciousness, spawning new memes, mottos, and social media trends each year.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025
These pithy mottos are accompanied by three state seal recommendations that look as though they had been composed during kindergarten just before nap time.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mottoes
Noun
-
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
-
The chef wrote around 40 sayings and gathered more from his Instagram followers.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
By now, decades into Americans’ pursuit of cooking as a mainstream hobby, certain maxims have become near-law among food lovers.—
Emily Heil,
Washington Post,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Maybe anyone planning long journeys should take those maxims as advice anyhow.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mottoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mottoes. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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