as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience
there's an old saying that you should let sleeping dogs lie
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in telling
to express (a thought or emotion) in words
why don't you just say what's on your mind?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in expressing
to convey in appropriate or telling terms
I'm not quite sure how to say this, but that's the worst essay I've ever read
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in reciting
to give from memory
say your prayers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in assuming
to take as true or as a fact without actual proof
let's say, for the sake of argument, that this is true
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of saying
Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
Readers share Mother's Day advice, funny sayings and expressions from moms.
—Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 8 May 2026
Clara Ludmir, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
About a week later, Police Chief Greg Fowler appeared alongside Shinnick at a council meeting and read a statement saying the two had worked to resolve tensions after officers raised concerns that Shinnick's wife had access to town systems following her termination as town clerk.
—CBS News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for saying
Noun
But my curiosity proved stronger than my nay-saying.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
Readers share Mother's Day advice, funny sayings and expressions from moms.
—Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 8 May 2026
Verb
Following rumors of the sale, hundreds of social media users shared their shock and disappointment, effectively saying their goodbyes to the brand.
—Clara Ludmir, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
About a week later, Police Chief Greg Fowler appeared alongside Shinnick at a council meeting and read a statement saying the two had worked to resolve tensions after officers raised concerns that Shinnick's wife had access to town systems following her termination as town clerk.
—CBS News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for saying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for saying
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
Verb
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While in the clinic, behind the gee-wizardry of the modern diagnostics and next-generation medications, the practice of endocrinology remains rooted in one person telling their story and the other trying to interpret it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Her boyfriend, who had cuts to his arms and face, called 911, telling dispatch that someone had dropped a rock from the overpass.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The most touching sections feature John expressing his love for Yoko, and drawing a connection between his love for her and his relationship with Paul, as well as his unresolved feelings about his 1970s activism.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
15 May 2026
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Haymon was much less apprehensive of expressing her opinions, particularly her preference for Gascon’s policies.—
Rafael Perez,
Daily News,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The finished product appeared to show Kerr reciting the song nearly word for word over the course of the season.—
Paloma Chavez,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
-
Daisy falls asleep that night reciting the same hushed prayer that the Pearl Girls invoked for her back in Toronto.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Put simply, Wembanyama is built for the SportsCenter Top 10, assuming that still exists.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
-
But gone are the days of assuming good actors rule the roost when bad action can be quicker, easier, and more lucrative.—
Will Johnson,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Each puzzle has exactly one solution, so watch out for words or items that seem to belong to multiple categories!—
Mark Cooper,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
One important tool in early natural-language-processing work was ranking the frequency of word sequences.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The straight-talking Benatia, who became sporting director in January 2025 after previously working for the club in an advisory role, fit a similar mould.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Riley was equally at ease when talking with the dentist, listening patiently as the man described his fancy new house in a gentrified area.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Do fans really need the coach to vindicate them by stating the obvious?—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
-
In a statement on March 6, ICE described in detail Damas’ medical treatment, stating that he was tested at the hospital and had been in the hospital’s intensive care unit throughout his stay.—
Suzanne Gamboa,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Saying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saying. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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