as in saying
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
her grandfather has a proverb for every occasion
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 proverb
It’s been codified as myths, proverbs, clichés, epigrams, parables; the skeleton of every great story.
—
Jann E. Freed, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
The Giants have one of the least-talented and most expensive offensive lines in the entire NFL
There's an old NFL proverb that suggests games are won and lost in the trenches.
—Geoffrey Knox, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Nobody plots against anyone, but nobody invokes ancient proverbs, either.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
As the Chinese proverb suggests, U.S. tariffs aimed at Beijing have tested diplomacy and strategy between the two largest world economies.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proverb
Jann E. Freed, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
The Giants have one of the least-talented and most expensive offensive lines in the entire NFL
There's an old NFL proverb that suggests games are won and lost in the trenches.
—Geoffrey Knox, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Nobody plots against anyone, but nobody invokes ancient proverbs, either.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
As the Chinese proverb suggests, U.S. tariffs aimed at Beijing have tested diplomacy and strategy between the two largest world economies.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proverb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proverb
Noun
-
Knowledge is power, as the saying goes, and knowledge wielded to dismantle empire and systems of oppression is dangerous to imperialism and capitalism.—
Sahar Mustafah
August 27,
Literary Hub,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Omarion Hampton - Los Angeles Chargers What is the old saying?—
Mike Fore,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Humor that has been lost from the words themselves is reinfused via prop comedy — Toby and Andrew do whippits and snort coke in a hot tub; the irate Malvolio demolishes their stash with a hair dryer — but Conlee’s Toby feels underpowered, and Ferguson’s Aguecheek lacks pathos.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Garcia logged into his X account and typed three words.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Decades later, those twin maxims remain as timeless as ever, essential navigational beacons during every cycle.—
Bob Haber,
Forbes.com,
28 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
Noun
-
His words echoed the old adage that the best defense is offense.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
26 Aug. 2025
-
The old Formula One adage that the first person a driver has to beat is their teammate may be overused.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Minima Moralia, composed in the shadow of the Holocaust, collects quasi-Marxian fragments and aphorisms that even as postscript to atrocity read as terrible prophecy.—
Jon Raymond
August 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Aug. 2025
-
The British Standards Institution (BSI) ’s latest survey data all but confirmed the aphorism, as the business improvement and standards firm found consumer expectations concerning sustainability increasingly at odds with willingness to pay for those expectations.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
The town’s unofficial motto adorns a hat in the team store at Bowman Park.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
-
The simple motto represents the entire purpose and meaning of the show.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Proverb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proverb. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share