as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
that old adage, "the early bird gets the worm"
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 adage
In for a penny, in for a pound, as the old adage says.
—
Eli Amdur, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Books are, despite the common adage, often intended to be judged by their covers.
—Tajja Isen, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
And climate models predict more heavy rainfall in the future, potentially making some of our age-old adages about Seattle weather out of date.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 2 Dec. 2024
The context seemed to offer proof of William Blake’s adage: Without contraries is no progression.
—Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for adage 
Eli Amdur, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Books are, despite the common adage, often intended to be judged by their covers.
—Tajja Isen, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
And climate models predict more heavy rainfall in the future, potentially making some of our age-old adages about Seattle weather out of date.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 2 Dec. 2024
The context seemed to offer proof of William Blake’s adage: Without contraries is no progression.
—Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for adage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adage
Noun
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
By Jamie Ducharme January 24, 2025 12:22 PM EST Everything is negotiable, as the saying goes—and that includes medical bills.—
Jamie Ducharme,
TIME,
24 Jan. 2025
-
The saying is that even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then.—
Vic Tafur,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Punches were thrown in a midwest board meeting after an activist targeted a politician with harsh words.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
29 Jan. 2025
-
When discussing crop tops, parents should avoid reinforcing that stigma with their words.—
Taylor Grothe,
Parents,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
As the footballing maxim goes, Diego Carlos often played to the level of the opponent.—
Jacob Tanswell,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Christie’s 20th century evening sale on Tuesday, which totaled $486 million with a sell through rate of 92 percent by value and 83 percent by lot, certainly proved that maxim true.—
George Nelson,
ARTnews.com,
20 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near adage
Cite this Entry
“Adage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adage. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share