as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
what does the aphorism "Hindsight is 20/20" mean?
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Recent Examples of aphorism
His announcement was greeted with surprise and then minutes of thundering applause from shareholders — many of whom became millionaires by owning Berkshire stock and hang onto his every financial aphorism.
—
Michael J. De La Merced, New York Times, 4 May 2025
Apparently, Eric Musselman (not unlike his crosstown rival) has never heard of Harry Truman’s aphorism about where the buck stops.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
Even so, virtually every one of its paragraphs contains a sensible and quotable aphorism.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 11 Feb. 2025
The book, taking the form of a fable told in short, single paragraphs, scattershot swatches of wisdom, aphorisms and illustrations, has long been a manual for how to practice togetherness in the face of extreme, oppressive opposition.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aphorism
Michael J. De La Merced, New York Times, 4 May 2025
Apparently, Eric Musselman (not unlike his crosstown rival) has never heard of Harry Truman’s aphorism about where the buck stops.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
Even so, virtually every one of its paragraphs contains a sensible and quotable aphorism.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 11 Feb. 2025
The book, taking the form of a fable told in short, single paragraphs, scattershot swatches of wisdom, aphorisms and illustrations, has long been a manual for how to practice togetherness in the face of extreme, oppressive opposition.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aphorism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aphorism
Noun
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A certain proverb about glass houses comes to mind.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 July 2025
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In other words, the proverb about teaching old dogs new tricks seemed personally apt.—
Thomas Cangelosi,
Hartford Courant,
27 June 2025
Noun
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Never is a long time, and words can be meaningless, as the saying goes.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
21 July 2025
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Now, the saying will help the Heart community share and continue her legacy.—
Abby Roedel,
People.com,
19 July 2025
Noun
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Because the only way to build a responsible AI future is to build it together. — Erika R. Knierim, senior associate, Founders Law Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
28 July 2025
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When children struggle to sound out words or make meaning from them, reading feels hard, not fun.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
28 July 2025
Noun
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Keeping with that maxim, McNally begins with his suicide attempt in 2018 on the heels of a debilitating stroke.—
Sean Woods,
Rolling Stone,
24 May 2025
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Kennedy’s views of individual ingredients oscillate between commonsense dietary maxims and conspiratorial musings.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aphorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aphorism. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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