motto

as in proverb
a short sentence or phrase that expresses a rule guiding the behavior of a particular person or group "Hope for the best and prepare for the worst" is my motto. The Scout motto is "Be prepared."

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 motto 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 That could very well be the motto of Burgess’s next character as well. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025 One of the years, our playoff motto was ‘North’ with a couple of darts like a compass facing north. Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 2 Feb. 2025 That statement could be a motto for this Administration, but what Trump meant in this case was that diversity initiatives at the Federal Aviation Administration had somehow caused the calamity. Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for motto
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motto
Noun
  • The German proverb, roughly translated into English, means: Steady dripping caves the stone.
    Gabby Herzig, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
  • 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
  • As the old saying goes, the best defence is a good offence.
    Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
  • As the old saying goes: When life gives you lemons, make Whiskey Sours.
    Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Many other huge companies have never used either word over that span.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Waiting for Vance beneath a low arch, in front of a gate that had the words arbeit macht frei set into its ironwork, was Abba Naor, a survivor of the camp.
    Massimo Calabresi/Dachau, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Here, 18 members of Forbes Coaches Council share powerful maxims, sayings, phrases and adages founders can turn to when challenges arise.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • Week 8 Winston for the win — Two more football axioms that rang true in 2024: The Ravens will find bizarre ways to lose games, and Jameis Winston will be a vehicle for metaphysical chaos.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Since the Civil War, this axiom has been avoided only a handful of times.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • But the abrupt and total shutdown of USAID—in defiance of multiple federal laws through which it was codified and funded—reveals a simple truth: The Department of Government Efficiency is not actually about achieving efficiency.
    Brian Schatz, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Secrets bob to the surface like drowning victims from the deep until nobody — not even the reader — can easily separate the terrible truth from even more terrible fictions.
    M.L. Rio, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Motto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motto. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.

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