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
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 saying
Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 27 Jan. 2026
An old saying during tax season is to file early so your refund is bigger, but this idea isn't accurate.
—Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 27 Jan. 2026
Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Feb. 2026
However, still some others doubt the idea, saying foreign intervention might push the country towards more chaos in long term.
—Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for saying
Noun
Work With a Partner Ultimately, the easiest way to paint faster is to have more than one person working on the job—as the saying goes, many hands make light work.
—Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 27 Jan. 2026
An old saying during tax season is to file early so your refund is bigger, but this idea isn't accurate.
—Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
That’s saying something, Christian.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Feb. 2026
However, still some others doubt the idea, saying foreign intervention might push the country towards more chaos in long term.
—Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for saying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for saying
Noun
-
But perhaps the night’s theme was best summed up by a proverb, not from Italy, but Coventry’s native continent.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
-
And there’s a proverb, this idea of the secret of getting old.—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Chinese government reacted by telling Chinese citizens not to travel to Japan, threatening economic retaliation, and pulling the plug on meetings that were long planned, putting a pretty deep freeze on China-Japan relations.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
-
After initially telling students and staff to stay indoors, Arlington ISD is now saying that folks are safe to go outside.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The senators had previously sent a letter to the SSA in April 2025 expressing concerns about retroactive spousal benefits under the new law.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Parts of the exchange have gone viral among Angelenos, with many expressing confusion and surprise about the suggestion that Culver City is plagued by crime.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Google is famous for dodging questions by reciting platitudes on its calls.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Fox News Digital later interviewed SJSU Athletic Director Jeff Konya about Slusser's claims, playing a video clip of Slusser reciting those allegations at Mountain West media days July 15.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Johnson cannot afford to lose more than one Republican, assuming all members are present and Democrats are united against the measure being voted on that would set the rules for debating a bill to boost domestic production of critical minerals.—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The instinct was to start with the largest model possible, assuming that adaptation would naturally improve performance.—
Abhas Ricky,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Mostly Mute Monday tells an astronomical story in images, visuals, and no more than 200 words.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Feb. 2026
-
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,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Tenants speaking to the town council Monday said JRK initially directed them to use their renter’s insurance to pay for alternate lodging; the company later agreed to pay those expenses after talking with town officials.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Smith thinks taxpayers should spend more time talking to their tax preparers about next year’s taxes.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
An official representative, or the couple, would have to make a public announcement stating their intention to marry.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
About an hour later, the airport issued an update stating that operations would remain suspended for another 90 minutes or so.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Saying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saying. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
