Definition of maximnext
as in proverb
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 maxim But the maxim applies in a different way in the documentary Fork in the Road, which made its world premiere Saturday at the Sonoma International Film Festival in California’s wine country. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 Mar. 2026 By now, decades into Americans’ pursuit of cooking as a mainstream hobby, certain maxims have become near-law among food lovers. Emily Heil, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2026 Ash found success by attending revival-style sales conventions and memorizing every smile, wink, and maxim in the Stanley songbook. Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026 There are three problems with this maxim. Tad Friend, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for maxim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maxim
Noun
  • What does the phrase squeaky bum time, the racehorse Devon Loch, and the Portuguese proverb ‘morrer na prais’ all have in common?
    Ian Irving, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
  • The rooms The old Japanese proverb ‘*kachou fuugetsu’—*which translates as ‘flower, bird, wind, moon’ evoking a sense of the transient beauty of nature—is a key concept at the hotel.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • As the old saying goes, courage is contagious.
    Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
  • Strapping’s product mix is equal parts practical and playful, from tasteful housewares to apparel and linens with sassy sayings.
    Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Two sides of the building are clad in giant words, the letters 5 feet tall, drawn from his 2015 speech marking the 50th anniversary of the civil rights marches from Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery.
    Susan Page, USA Today, 15 June 2026
  • The ambiguity of Chinese, the way meaning pools in the spaces between words, resists translation.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 June 2026
Noun
  • What the 1956 motto does best is embolden pastors and politicians who repeat the tired myth that the United States is a Christian nation.
    David Williamson, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
  • The campaign motto, Her Şey Çok Güzel Olacak (Everything will be fine) now sounded sad.
    Kaya Genç, The Dial, 9 June 2026
Noun
  • Balancing the art and the commerce is the old adage, but that’s also true.
    Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 7 June 2026
  • The old adage says that one bad apple can spoil the bunch.
    Holly Corbett, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

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“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maxim. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

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