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
Decades later, those twin maxims remain as timeless as ever, essential navigational beacons during every cycle.
—
Bob Haber, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
That was one of the guiding maxims within the company.
—Terry Gross, NPR, 17 July 2025
Such is the folly of an uninformed electorate, vulnerable and exploitable to the maxims of tyranny.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2025
Kennedy’s views of individual ingredients oscillate between commonsense dietary maxims and conspiratorial musings.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Bob Haber, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
That was one of the guiding maxims within the company.
—Terry Gross, NPR, 17 July 2025
Such is the folly of an uninformed electorate, vulnerable and exploitable to the maxims of tyranny.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2025
Kennedy’s views of individual ingredients oscillate between commonsense dietary maxims and conspiratorial musings.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for maxim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maxim
Noun
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Instead, Jeffrey Gahler has turned budget hearings into a sideshow by attacking McCord for scribbling a French version of a familiar proverb during an April meeting.—
Aegis reader commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Aug. 2025
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In West African traditions, the drum serves as both a musical instrument and a talking messenger, transmitting proverbs, praises, and official announcements in a language that reinforces the chief’s authority and the community’s history.—
Felicia Appenteng,
semafor.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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With $15 and a short saying, Missourians can buy custom tags for their car or truck.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
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There is a saying that each time memory is recalled and re-told the memory is replaced by the memory of the memory.—
Vineer Bhansali,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Iniki is the Hawaiian word for sharp and piercing wind.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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Colleagues described a popular chaplain with nicknames for the tiny patients and soothing words for their bleary-eyed parents.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But, that’s sort of the motto behind the Episcopal Church.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
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Our motto was that the army of the people, one for all and all for one, can exist only in a democracy.—
Ron Scherf,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The football adage is that to win games teams must run the ball and stop the run.—
DON NORCROSS,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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David Schaecter lived that adage every day of his life.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxim. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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