as in sayings
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 maxims
The rest of the book is spent expanding on these maxims one by one, in her colloquial, easy style, with references to classic psychological studies, her own research and her own experiences.
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Lamorna Ash, The Dial, 25 Nov. 2025
Everything bops breezily along, stopping occasionally to have Dek growl maxims about strength through domination, and observe a decapitation or two.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
Visitors who travel down a dirt road to The Hollow — named for the hollow-core concrete that made Mellor wealthy — can enter the compound through a dark, cavernous passage lined with neon signs illuminating maxims from the likes of Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, and Flynn.
—Arthur Allen, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Visitors who travel down a dirt road to The Hollow — named for the hollow-core concrete that made Mellor wealthy — can enter the compound through a dark, cavernous passage lined with neon signs illuminating maxims from the likes of Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, and Flynn.
—Arthur Allen, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maxims
Noun
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By tradition, Ohio’s mix of snow, clouds, and cold suggests a year that may start with challenges but also holds opportunities for growth — and at least enough food to put on the table, according to the old sayings.—
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The new space resembles the old, complete with walls covered in graffiti with names, sayings, and pictures of the old Post Bar.—
Noun
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For nine months, Erasmus spent his short nights in a modest dorm and his long days in the print shop, expanding on his collection of proverbs Adagiorum chiliades while Aldus proofread, craftsman carefully laying sets of print and rolling paper through the press.—
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Includes quirky facts, adages, advice, quotes and proverbs, as well as articles about mistletoe, bird nests, perennials, timekeeping, recipes and more.—
Noun
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Kittle's teammates also offered kind words after their victory against the Eagles.—
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The men appeared to exchange words for a few seconds before being separated by Eagles chief security officer Dom DiSandro.—
Cite this Entry
“Maxims.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxims. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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