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
Seems silly to say it that way, but that maxim helps describe some of the ways that power and contact interact in the game of baseball.
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Eno Sarris, The Athletic, 16 Apr. 2024
Biden just doesn’t seem to understand a maxim of all performative endeavors, including politics: the greatest know when to cede the stage.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 31 Oct. 2024
Bickerstaff’s comment captures an integral maxim of sports: process over results.
—Mat Issa, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Those reports reinforce the maxim: Don’t bet against the American consumer.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for maxim 
Eno Sarris, The Athletic, 16 Apr. 2024
Biden just doesn’t seem to understand a maxim of all performative endeavors, including politics: the greatest know when to cede the stage.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 31 Oct. 2024
Bickerstaff’s comment captures an integral maxim of sports: process over results.
—Mat Issa, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Those reports reinforce the maxim: Don’t bet against the American consumer.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for maxim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maxim
Noun
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To paraphrase an old proverb, the best time to connect the fights for trans and reproductive rights was decades ago.Colleen Hamilton, Them, 4 Dec. 2024
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This brings up the proverb of wanting to have your cake and eat it too.Lance Eliot, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
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What Team Northeast's saying: Philly's too hard-edge to be anything but Northeast.Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024
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There’s a saying that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Corcoran delivered his final words before taking his last breath.Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
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As households witnessed their utility bills drop—sometimes by nearly 90% according to Miller—word spread that the people going door to door were here to help.Marina Lopes, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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That’s the motto, at least, for scores of DIYers who modify their homes again and again for the sake of personalization.Madeline Bilis, Architectural Digest, 12 Dec. 2024
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Boasting an enviable black book of exclusive VIP experiences and relationships with some of the world’s finest guides, UTC lives by its motto, Why do Ordinary.Lewis Nunn, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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As the adage goes, when one door closes another one opens.Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 6 Dec. 2024
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But that old adage often no longer applies because the climate is changing so quickly, Axford said.Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 26 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxim. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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