proverbially
According to common wisdom
Proverbially describes something that is widely known or commonly spoken of, as if it were a proverb: Cats are proverbially independent.
It signals that a characterization is familiar to the point of being conventional wisdom, whether or not an actual proverb exists: The British are proverbially reserved, He was proverbially late to everything.
Terse general truth
- adageTraditional pithy truth
- maximBrief moral principle
- sayingShort, wise expression
- axiomSelf-evident starting principle
truism · apothegm · epigram · motto · dictum · gnome · saw · byword
In a celebrated manner
- infamouslyWith scandalous reputation
- legendarilyIn mythic reputation
- notoriouslyWith widespread ill fame
- reputedlyAccording to general belief
supposedly · allegedly · reportedly · traditionally · classically · archetypally · quintessentially · stereotypically
Symbolically, not literally
- symbolicallyBy way of representation
- allegoricallyIn symbolic narrative form
- idiomaticallyIn fixed-phrase style
- colloquiallyIn casual speech
euphemistically · ironically · sarcastically · hyperbolically · allusively · figuratively · expressively · colorfully
Overused and unoriginal
- triteOverused, lacking freshness
- banalUnoriginal and dull
- overusedEmployed too frequently
- worn-outDepleted through overuse
threadbare · shopworn · tired · stale · clichéd · platitudinous · unoriginal · derivative
Wisdom keeper or seasoning
- wiseShowing good judgment
- sagaciousHaving acute mental discernment
- prudentExercising sound judgment
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
discernment · foresight · judgment · shrewdness · astuteness · perspicacity · counsel · Solomon
Moral goodness or merit
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
- rectitudeMoral straightness
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
honor · conscience · principle · lesson · teaching · cautionary · exemplary · instructive
aphorism
Terse general truth
axiom · truism · apothegm · epigram · motto · dictum · gnome · saw · byword · precept
famously
In a celebrated manner
- infamouslyWith scandalous reputation
- legendarilyIn mythic reputation
- notoriouslyWith widespread ill fame
reputedly · supposedly · allegedly · reportedly · traditionally · classically · archetypally · quintessentially · stereotypically · iconically
metaphorically
Symbolically, not literally
- symbolicallyBy way of representation
- allegoricallyIn symbolic narrative form
- idiomaticallyIn fixed-phrase style
colloquially · euphemistically · ironically · sarcastically · hyperbolically · allusively · figuratively · expressively · colorfully · vividly
hackneyed
Overused and unoriginal
worn-out · threadbare · shopworn · tired · stale · clichéd · platitudinous · unoriginal · derivative · predictable
sage
Wisdom keeper or seasoning
insight · discernment · foresight · judgment · shrewdness · astuteness · perspicacity · counsel · Solomon · oracle
virtue
Moral goodness or merit
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
- rectitudeMoral straightness
integrity · honor · conscience · principle · lesson · teaching · cautionary · exemplary · instructive · didactic
proverbiallyliterally
In exact terms
factually · actually · demonstrably · verifiably · empirically
proverbiallyabnormally
Outside expected norms
unusually · atypically · uncharacteristically · unexpectedly · surprisingly
- proverbial wisdomKnowledge in traditional sayings
- proverbial sayingsTraditional expressions of wisdom
- proverbial expressionsTraditional sayings conveying wisdom
- proverbial phrasesTraditional sayings conveying wisdom