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
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 motto
Saxon’s constantly giving his life mottoes.
—
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 4 Apr. 2025
Our motto this year is #yougottabelieve.
—Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
Marion has a motto that has resonated to players and coaches.
—Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
That’s a memorable motto to live by.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motto
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 4 Apr. 2025
Our motto this year is #yougottabelieve.
—Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
Marion has a motto that has resonated to players and coaches.
—Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
That’s a memorable motto to live by.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motto
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motto
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Diet As the saying goes, everything starts with your diet—and that includes bone health.—
Melanie Curry,
People.com,
1 Apr. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
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
-
Stephen Graham is mulling over the right word to capture the past month of his life.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
There’s an old axiom in physics, which states that nature abhors a vacuum.—
Letters to the editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2025
-
There is a lot of axiomatics, which seems to be closer to the Greeks, but aren’t the axioms largely chosen at will?—
Simone Weil,
Harper's Magazine,
2 July 2024
Noun
-
In a world increasingly reliant on autonomous agents and decentralized networks, this moment underscored a powerful truth.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
In truth, the same logic could be applied to Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United — all of who would benefit from a new No 9 on their books — which is precisely what makes Sesko such an attractive prospect.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motto. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share