apothegm
10 synonyms for apothegm, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A brief, clever saying that offers wisdom or advice.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
Came from French apophthegme or Medieval Latin apothegma, from Ancient Greek ἀπόφθεγμα (apóphthegma), from ἀποφθέγγομαι (apophthéngomai, 'speak out').
Full origin of apothegm →