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
As the footballing maxim goes, Diego Carlos often played to the level of the opponent.
—
Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Christie’s 20th century evening sale on Tuesday, which totaled $486 million with a sell through rate of 92 percent by value and 83 percent by lot, certainly proved that maxim true.
—George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 20 Nov. 2024
This maxim holds just as true in cyber security as in sports.
—Phillimon Zongo, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
There’s the old maxim that country music more than any other genre is about storytelling.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Christie’s 20th century evening sale on Tuesday, which totaled $486 million with a sell through rate of 92 percent by value and 83 percent by lot, certainly proved that maxim true.
—George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 20 Nov. 2024
This maxim holds just as true in cyber security as in sports.
—Phillimon Zongo, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
There’s the old maxim that country music more than any other genre is about storytelling.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maxim
Noun
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The German proverb, roughly translated into English, means: Steady dripping caves the stone.—
Gabby Herzig,
The Athletic,
2 Jan. 2025
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But remember, where there’s fire, there’s smoke, which may be a reversal of the standard proverb but is highly relevant here.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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That’s because in this new age of on-again, off-again tariffs, there’s no saying when your package will be delivered — if at all.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN,
27 Feb. 2025
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This saying certainly comes into play plenty when referees spot the ball either past or before the first down marker.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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During the Ash Wednesday homily, which had been prepared for the pontiff, the substitute celebrant opened with words of solidarity and gratitude for Francis.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
6 Mar. 2025
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Letters are limited to less than 250 words and must be signed (no pseudonyms nor initials).You must include your email address, address with city and daytime phone number for verification.—
Letters to the Editor,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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As their predecessors did, the seven hopefuls will strive to uphold the historic Olympic motto of faster, higher, stronger.—
Blythe Lawrence,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
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This raises the question of whether the coin was explicitly commemorating Rogers or simply featuring the national motto.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Like the old adage about waiting a long time for a bus only to have three show up at once, Dries Van Noten — nearly glacial in the past regarding store openings — has four in the cards this year.—
Miles Socha,
WWD,
25 Feb. 2025
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The plus for Wrexham comes via the old adage ‘form is temporary but class is permanent’, with O’Connell having featured in 11 of those 12 clean sheets in the league this season and Cleworth in 10.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxim. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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