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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Recent Examples of maxim
But Sue’s maxim was that ballet was for everybody — and every body — and her classroom was proof.
—
Elyse Durham, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025
Many corporate leaders still adhere to Milton Friedman’s maxim that the primary purpose of a company is to maximize shareholder returns.
—Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Lamar Alexander reminded me of a maxim from the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, the conservative icon.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
There is a maxim among songwriters about positive songs being tougher to write, or write honestly.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Elyse Durham, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025
Many corporate leaders still adhere to Milton Friedman’s maxim that the primary purpose of a company is to maximize shareholder returns.
—Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Lamar Alexander reminded me of a maxim from the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, the conservative icon.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
There is a maxim among songwriters about positive songs being tougher to write, or write honestly.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maxim
Noun
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But Bluey’s comforted when Calypso tells her a proverb about a farmer who trusts everything will turn out the way it’s meant to be.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2025
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Whitaker nicknamed the place Sparrow Hall, a reference to a medieval saint’s proverb about a sparrow who flies over a royal banquet, feeling only a brief moment of warmth.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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There is a saying among lawyers and crisis communications professionals: A coverup is often worse than the crime or crisis itself.—
Rick Pozniak,
Boston Herald,
1 Apr. 2025
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Diet As the saying goes, everything starts with your diet—and that includes bone health.—
Melanie Curry,
People.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Unfortunately, the question of how much worth is placed on an Israeli life versus a Palestinian one is answered mostly in words, and thus, in too direct (and perhaps too didactic) a fashion, when so much of the movie’s drama could have grounded it emotionally.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
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Stephen Graham is mulling over the right word to capture the past month of his life.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Still, their motto holds firm: Nothing but the Best.—
Javier Hasse,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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She’s got so many mottos, so many mantras, so many things to say about the zodiac.—
Zoe Papelis,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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His performance in Top Gun proves the hoary old thespian adage that there are no small parts, just actors who aren’t as good as Val Kilmer.—
John DeVore,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2025
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The old adage is that moms have eyes in the back of their heads, but a new study shows that women in general may also have more sensitive hearing.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxim. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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