25 Synonyms for Expression

25 Synonyms for Expression 25 Synonyms for â€Å"Expression† 25 Synonyms for â€Å"Expression† By Mark Nichol Many words can be employed to refer to an expression. Most, as you’ll see, are true synonyms of one or more others, but a few have specific (and sometimes unique) connotations. Here are the synonyms and their senses: 1. Adage (from the Latin adagium, â€Å"proverb†) An often metaphorical observation: â€Å"The early bird gets the worm.† 2. Aphorism (from the Greek aphorismos, â€Å"definition†) A principle concisely stated: â€Å"Less is more.† 3. Apothegm (from Greek apophthegma, derived from apophthengesthai, â€Å"to speak out†) An instructive comment: â€Å"Cleanliness is next to godliness.† 4. Banality (from the French banal, â€Å"commonplace†) A trite comment: â€Å"You get what you pay for.† 5. Bromide (from the word for a compound, made in part from the element bromine, used as a sedative) A hackneyed statement: â€Å"We have to work together.† 6. Byword A proverb, or a frequently used word or phrase: â€Å"You can get more flies with honey than with vinegar.† 7. Chestnut (from the Greek kastanea, â€Å"chestnut†) A stale saying or story: â€Å"There’s no such thing as a free lunch.† 8. Clichà © (from the French word for â€Å"stereotype†) An overly familiar expression: â€Å"Keep the faith† (or an overdone theme, like moviedom’s manic pixie dream girl). 9. Commonplace (from the Latin locus communis, â€Å"widely applicable argument†) An obvious but often tiresome or unfortunate comment: â€Å"What goes around comes around† (or a trite phenomena, such as drivers sending text messages). 10. Epigram (from the Greek epigramma, derived from epigraphein, â€Å"to write on†) A concise and wise and/or clever saying: Time is money.† 11. Homily (from the Latin homilia, â€Å"conversation†) a catchphrase (or sermon) meant to inspire: â€Å"To err is human; to forgive divine.† 12. Maxim (from the Latin maxima, the superlative of magnus, â€Å"large†) A rule or principle: â€Å"A watched pot never boils.† 13. Moral (from the Latin moralis, â€Å"custom†) The lesson of an instructive story: â€Å"Be satisfied with what you have.† 14. Motto (from the Latin muttire, â€Å"mutter†) A statement of a principle: â€Å"Be prepared.† 15. Platitude (from the French plat, â€Å"dull†) A banal remark: â€Å"Blondes have more fun.† 16. Precept (from the Latin praeceptum, â€Å"something taken before†) A statement of a rule: â€Å"Thou shalt not kill.† 17. Principle (from the Latin principium, â€Å"beginning†) A law or rule of conduct: â€Å"It is better to give than to receive.† 18. Proverb (from the Latin proverbium, from pro-, â€Å"for† or â€Å"to,† and verbum, â€Å"word†) A direct synonym for adage, byword, epigram, and maxim. 19. Saw (from the Old English sagu, â€Å"discourse†) A maxim or proverb, often referred to with some condescension: â€Å"You’ve heard that old saw about how to get healthy, wealthy, and wise.† 20. Saying An adage: â€Å"Let sleeping dogs lie.† 21. Sententia (from the Latin word for â€Å"feeling, opinion†) A brief expression of a principle: â€Å"To thine own self be true.† 22. Shibboleth (from the Hebrew word for â€Å"stream,† described in the Bible as a word used, by its pronunciation, to distinguish speakers of one region for another) A widely held belief: â€Å"Time heals all wounds.† 23. Slogan (from Scottish Gaelic sluagh-ghairm, â€Å"war cry†) A statement of a position or goal: â€Å"Say what you mean, and mean what you say† (or an advertising statement: â€Å"We will not be undersold!†). 24. Trope (from Latin tropos, â€Å"turn,† â€Å"way,† â€Å"manner,† â€Å"style†) A common figure of speech: â€Å"Not that there’s anything wrong with that† (or a trite theme, as the climactic duel in a western movie). 25. Truism An obvious truth: â€Å"You can’t win them all.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:20 Great Similes from Literature to Inspire You"Gratitude" or "Gratefulness"?How Do You Fare?