aphorisms

noun

plural of aphorism
as in sayings
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience what does the aphorism "Hindsight is 20/20" mean?

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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 aphorisms Oscar Wilde remains the go-to source of aphorisms for Britons after a quick laugh. — Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026 Indeed, Schiffmann was more prone to citing postmodernist aphorisms and artists than famous venture capitalists and tech founders. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 6 Oct. 2025 Nietzsche spoke through Zarathustra, aphorisms, and self-contradiction. — Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026 Among the oldest such cultural translations are the Hippocratic aphorisms. — Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026 Vertical white banners bearing Daoist aphorisms and traditional Chinese landscapes adorned the façade. — Adam Ciralsky, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026 The statement is one among many hard-hitting aphorisms that ring devastatingly true for the state of our current world, as late-stage capitalism widens the gap between haves and have-nots, creating unsustainable conditions for millions of people. — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 May 2026 His social commentary reflected disgust with the unfettered capitalism of the Gilded Age, and his cynical aphorisms became widely quoted. — Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 31 May 2026 His music pulls together Tin Pan Alley and 1960s Wall of Sound pop, ticky-tacky drum machines and synths; his storytelling brings a bohemian world into focus through arch aphorisms, dirty jokes and rhymes that scan impeccably. — New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aphorisms
  1. sayings
  2. proverbs
  3. words
Noun
  • Where the most hopelessly corny sayings are painstakingly stitched into the equivalent of cloth graph paper by women who believe in the sayings and give the plaques to people who do not believe in the sayings.
    — Padgett Powell, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • Arriving on July 17 through Mass Appeal, the project plays on one of his signature sayings while conveying his mindset at this stage in his personal and professional journey.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of sayings
Noun
  • The third film in director Éric Rohmer’s series Comedies and Proverbs, Pauline at the Beach explores the emotions (and delusions) around summer love.
    — Air Mail, Air Mail, 20 June 2026
  • 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.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025
Definition of proverbs
Noun
  • Share a clear stance in a meeting, because your words may invite thoughtful dialogue and widen your map.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
  • His celebratory words marking its 250th anniversary included not only the traditional paeans to the Founders but also a dose of personal grievance, plus soaring praise for his own achievements.
    — Susan Page, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of words

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Cite this Entry

“Aphorisms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aphorisms. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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