Definition of epigramnext
as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience Benjamin Franklin's famous epigram, "Remember that time is money"

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Recent Examples of epigram By greatly expanding the dimensions of his images, with their muted palettes, tight cropping, found symmetries, and laconic wit, had the maestro of the photographic epigram betrayed his subtractive aesthetic? James Quandt, Artforum, 2 June 2026 Johnson is the author of the epigrams, but Boswell is very much the co-author. David Frum, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026 Holmes’ feed is a babbling stream of self-help epigrams, ankle-deep reflections and many, many photos of herself. Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 10 Dec. 2025 That celebrated epigram is delivered by the character of Octave, who is the greatest creation of Renoir’s career—not least because he’s played by Renoir in a performance that’s essentially a self-portrait, even an onscreen self-creation. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 July 2025 It’s been codified as myths, proverbs, clichés, epigrams, parables; the skeleton of every great story. Jann E. Freed, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 Her poems of that era — sonnets, epigrams, eminently quotable snippets of rhymed gossip — pulse with the dynamism and attitude of the modern city. A.o. Scott, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025 Throughout, Snook hams for laughs, turning Wilde’s witticisms and epigrams into slapstick. Christian Lewis, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epigram
Noun
  • There’s a football proverb so old that, well, good luck attempting to find its original source.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
  • The reason can be explained by a Japanese proverb about the importance of leaving no mess.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • The next three chapters offer an anthology of sayings from rabbis who were active in the early centuries of the Common Era, including Hillel and Johanan ben Zakkai, among many other tannaim.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
  • But the saying also slyly sets the stage for the men’s existential inquiries; in Cool Machine, Pepper and Carney ask themselves the same thing.
    Niela Orr, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Noun
  • Skubal seems to comprehend how his performance and his words both hold weight.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Maybe redemption is too strong a word, but with all of this attention on Luke, Joe’s normal-bordering-on-wholesome fling with Kayley is a breath of fresh air.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • Astonishing to watch Armand invent noir femme fatale aphorisms in real time.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 July 2026
  • In the face of climate change, such woo woo aphorisms seem ridiculous, naive, and cruel.
    Josh Fox, IndieWire, 17 July 2026

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“Epigram.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epigram. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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