as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
that old adage, "the early bird gets the worm"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of adage
More interesting is the fact that both stations are doing so well, proving the old adage that real competition brings out the best.
—
Richard Wagoner, Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
The old stock market adage speaks to the phenomenon in which the May-through-October stretch has seasonally borne out to be the worst six-month period of returns for stocks.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 27 Apr. 2026
Turns out, the old adage of spending money to make money is accurate.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Thankfully, there's something to that old adage about felines having nine lives because The Jellicle Ball rouses Cats from its grave.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adage
Richard Wagoner, Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
The old stock market adage speaks to the phenomenon in which the May-through-October stretch has seasonally borne out to be the worst six-month period of returns for stocks.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 27 Apr. 2026
Turns out, the old adage of spending money to make money is accurate.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Thankfully, there's something to that old adage about felines having nine lives because The Jellicle Ball rouses Cats from its grave.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adage
Noun
-
What does the phrase squeaky bum time, the racehorse Devon Loch, and the Portuguese proverb ‘morrer na prais’ all have in common?—
Ian Irving,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The rooms The old Japanese proverb ‘*kachou fuugetsu’—*which translates as ‘flower, bird, wind, moon’ evoking a sense of the transient beauty of nature—is a key concept at the hotel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But my curiosity proved stronger than my nay-saying.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
Readers share Mother's Day advice, funny sayings and expressions from moms.—
Letters to the Editor,
Washington Post,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Alex Jenkinson, 39, is accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behavior toward the former prince, whose royal titles were removed last year by King Charles III due to his connections to Jeffrey Epstein.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
-
Each puzzle has exactly one solution, so watch out for words or items that seem to belong to multiple categories!—
Mark Cooper,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
But that maxim may not hold up this year.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
27 Apr. 2026
-
But the maxim applies in a different way in the documentary Fork in the Road, which made its world premiere Saturday at the Sonoma International Film Festival in California’s wine country.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adage. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
