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
There’s the old maxim that country music more than any other genre is about storytelling.
—
Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024
That and the state’s maxim—The Greatest Snow On Earth—broadcasted on every souvenir item possible isn’t overselling how preposterously light and fluffy the powder is here, or how much of it falls annually (up to 500 inches).
—Scott Bay, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Nov. 2024
The big-picture, keep-it-simple characteristics of this market moment are easy enough to recite like self-help maxims: Inflation continues to retreat more quickly than the economy has slowed.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2024
Here is another useful maxim: Sometimes less is more.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for maxim 
Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024
That and the state’s maxim—The Greatest Snow On Earth—broadcasted on every souvenir item possible isn’t overselling how preposterously light and fluffy the powder is here, or how much of it falls annually (up to 500 inches).
—Scott Bay, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Nov. 2024
The big-picture, keep-it-simple characteristics of this market moment are easy enough to recite like self-help maxims: Inflation continues to retreat more quickly than the economy has slowed.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2024
Here is another useful maxim: Sometimes less is more.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Nov. 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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As the old saying goes, the best defence is a good offence.—
Allan Mitchell,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
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As the old saying goes: When life gives you lemons, make Whiskey Sours.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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His emails are two words long, to the point and nothing extra.—
Lily Moayeri,
SPIN,
10 Feb. 2025
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At the Superdome, the final word was replaced with a man yelping.—
Kevin Dolak,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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That could very well be the motto of Burgess’s next character as well.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
6 Feb. 2025
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And for at least the past five years, the state's population has been following this motto, getting bigger and bigger.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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That old adage, ‘Retire without debt,’ may be going the way of the electric typewriter and rotary phone.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
16 Feb. 2025
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But as the adage goes, nothing in life comes for free.—
Dimitar 'Mix' Mihov,
Forbes,
10 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxim. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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