bywords
Phrases everyone knows
Bywords are familiar sayings or proverbs—phrases so commonly repeated they become emblematic: Honesty was his byword.
A byword can also be a person or thing that epitomizes a quality, usually negative: The town became a byword for corruption.
The singular byword appears more often than the plural.
Succinct statements of truth
- proverbsTraditional wisdom capsules
- adagesTraditional wise sayings
- aphorismsConcise memorable truths
- mottosShort guiding phrases
slogans · catchphrases · mantras · watchwords · dictums · precepts · epigrams · truisms
Words with shared meaning
- epithetsCharacterizing phrases for people
- exemplarsIdeal models for imitation
- embodimentsConcrete representations of abstractions
- symbolsMarks conveying meaning
hallmarks · benchmarks · standards · paragons · archetypes · watchwords · tokens · indicators
Penetrating mental acuity
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- discernmentKeen perception and judgment
- philosophyStudy of fundamental truths
understanding · judgment · foresight · acumen · enlightenment · sapience · shrewdness · counsel
maxims
Succinct statements of truth
mottos · slogans · catchphrases · mantras · watchwords · dictums · precepts · epigrams · truisms · platitudes
synonyms
Words with shared meaning
- epithetsCharacterizing phrases for people
- exemplarsIdeal models for imitation
- embodimentsConcrete representations of abstractions
symbols · hallmarks · benchmarks · standards · paragons · archetypes · watchwords · tokens · indicators · markers
sagacity
Penetrating mental acuity
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- discernmentKeen perception and judgment
philosophy · understanding · judgment · foresight · acumen · enlightenment · sapience · shrewdness · counsel · guidance
bywordsobscurities
Unclear or puzzling elements
unknowns · forgotten words · arcana · esoterica · rarities