as in proverb
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 aphorism
The book, taking the form of a fable told in short, single paragraphs, scattershot swatches of wisdom, aphorisms and illustrations, has long been a manual for how to practice togetherness in the face of extreme, oppressive opposition.
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Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 20 Jan. 2025
The books were silly, designed to entertain, but also filled with aphorisms that forced you to pause for a moment or two.
—John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025
The perfect vague yet totally true aphorism to throw at any put-down.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 31 Jan. 2025
The marketing taglines that bear the same force and resonance as elders’ aphorisms: 1010 WINS, American Express, Calgon.
—Alexandra Jacobs, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aphorism
Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 20 Jan. 2025
The books were silly, designed to entertain, but also filled with aphorisms that forced you to pause for a moment or two.
—John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025
The perfect vague yet totally true aphorism to throw at any put-down.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 31 Jan. 2025
The marketing taglines that bear the same force and resonance as elders’ aphorisms: 1010 WINS, American Express, Calgon.
—Alexandra Jacobs, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aphorism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aphorism
Noun
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The book’s prose is inspired by proverbs and sections from the Old Testament, as well as McConaughey’s own daydreams, nightmares and musings.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
26 June 2025
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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
Noun
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Never is a long time, and words can be meaningless, as the saying goes.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
21 July 2025
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Now, the saying will help the Heart community share and continue her legacy.—
Abby Roedel,
People.com,
19 July 2025
Noun
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Gibson’s poetry and spoken word performances often dealt with LGBTQ+ topics, gender norms and social justice.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
15 July 2025
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That same night, students got word that the nearby Bee Tree dam was breaching, an event that might have overwhelmed the campus with water.—
Jessica Pishko,
New Yorker,
15 July 2025
Noun
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Keeping with that maxim, McNally begins with his suicide attempt in 2018 on the heels of a debilitating stroke.—
Sean Woods,
Rolling Stone,
24 May 2025
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Kennedy’s views of individual ingredients oscillate between commonsense dietary maxims and conspiratorial musings.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aphorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aphorism. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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