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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of maxim
La Fontaine’s focus on animals and penchant for moral maxims must have immediately attracted her.
—
Susan Gubar
june 9, Literary Hub, 9 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Susan Gubar
june 9, Literary Hub, 9 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maxim
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Never is a long time, and words can be meaningless, as the saying goes.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
21 July 2025
-
Now, the saying will help the Heart community share and continue her legacy.—
Abby Roedel,
People.com,
19 July 2025
Noun
-
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
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By the time our department chief got word that there had been a mass shooting at PittFest, his senior resident was incommunicado.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
Kotb's work motto, written on an office wall, alludes to the names of her daughters.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 July 2025
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So during the Cold War era, the motto aligns Superman with American democratic ideals and anti-communist values of national strength and righteousness.—
Ari Daniel,
Smithsonian Magazine,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Attorney General Pam Bondi apparently never heard the adage about under-promising and over-delivering.—
The Editors,
National Review,
16 July 2025
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The old adage goes: Where there is smoke, there is fire.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxim. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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