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
For all the screenwriting manuals and maxims that insist on character goals and motivations and missions and all those things we’re supposed to have in real life too, there can be something riveting about a character with no plan at all.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Feb. 2025
This is the sort of thing that young people think will never happen to them, but remember the maxim: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 4 June 2025
That violates another maxim commonly taught in families, schools and religious venues everywhere: Those who can should help those in need.
—Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
At a place as small as McCabe’s — smaller, even, by far than the El Rey, where Burnett last officially played in 2006 — a statement like that could count as more than just a passing maxim.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Feb. 2025
This is the sort of thing that young people think will never happen to them, but remember the maxim: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 4 June 2025
That violates another maxim commonly taught in families, schools and religious venues everywhere: Those who can should help those in need.
—Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
At a place as small as McCabe’s — smaller, even, by far than the El Rey, where Burnett last officially played in 2006 — a statement like that could count as more than just a passing maxim.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maxim
Noun
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It’s been codified as myths, proverbs, clichés, epigrams, parables; the skeleton of every great story.—
Jann E. Freed,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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The Giants have one of the least-talented and most expensive offensive lines in the entire NFL There's an old NFL proverb that suggests games are won and lost in the trenches.—
Geoffrey Knox,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Remember the old saying: Red and yellow, kill a fellow; red and black, friend of Jack.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
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As the saying goes, crisis represents both danger and opportunity.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Friends and family flooded the comments with words of sympathy and cherished memories of Page.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
1 July 2025
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In this superb biography, Joanne Paul goes back to the words More wrote himself, to try and get at More before fame and the accusations against him took hold.—
Gabrielle Bellot,
Literary Hub,
1 July 2025
Noun
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That is essentially the motto for St. Laurence’s entire lineup.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2025
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In other words, Essence Festival 2025 is around the corner, prompting the motto of wearing less and going out more.—
Tatayana Yomary,
Essence,
12 June 2025
Noun
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The old adage is that two heads are better than one.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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As the old adage goes, the early bird gets the worm—the same can be applied to snatching up the best Prime Day beauty deals!—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxim. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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