as in saying
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
her grandfather has a proverb for every occasion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of proverb
Instead, Jeffrey Gahler has turned budget hearings into a sideshow by attacking McCord for scribbling a French version of a familiar proverb during an April meeting.
—
Aegis Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 21 Aug. 2025
In West African traditions, the drum serves as both a musical instrument and a talking messenger, transmitting proverbs, praises, and official announcements in a language that reinforces the chief’s authority and the community’s history.
—Felicia Appenteng, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2025
A certain proverb about glass houses comes to mind.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
In other words, the proverb about teaching old dogs new tricks seemed personally apt.
—Thomas Cangelosi, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for proverb
Aegis Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 21 Aug. 2025
In West African traditions, the drum serves as both a musical instrument and a talking messenger, transmitting proverbs, praises, and official announcements in a language that reinforces the chief’s authority and the community’s history.
—Felicia Appenteng, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2025
A certain proverb about glass houses comes to mind.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
In other words, the proverb about teaching old dogs new tricks seemed personally apt.
—Thomas Cangelosi, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for proverb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proverb
Noun
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But as the saying goes, the best ability is availability, and Ertz has proven to be one of the most frequently available and productive tight ends in the history of the sport.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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As the saying goes, the best defense is a good offense.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But Emery’s words about passing too quickly do bear resonance.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Many criticized that Bell's words seemed to downplay domestic violence, which was particularly offensive during Domestic Violence Awareness month.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Visitors who travel down a dirt road to The Hollow — named for the hollow-core concrete that made Mellor wealthy — can enter the compound through a dark, cavernous passage lined with neon signs illuminating maxims from the likes of Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, and Flynn.—
Arthur Allen,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
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Sarr’s advocates counter with one of basketball’s maxims: Young centers, especially lanky ones such as Sarr, usually require more time to develop physically than perimeter players.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That is the adage used to scold someone whose gaze is fixed on a particular subject a little too long.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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The second round is a bigger swing, a bolder gambit all the way around, really, and not just because it’s based on a high-stakes example of the adage about asking for forgiveness being better than waiting for permission.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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Which brings us back to the twin aphorisms that began this piece.—
George Pesansky,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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My motto will be to seek first to understand before making decisions.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Oct. 2025
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Consistency over intensity is the Pvolve motto.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Proverb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proverb. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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