SAYING Synonyms: 188 Similar and Opposite Words

saying 1 of 2

noun

ˈsā-iŋ

Definition of saying

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

saying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of say

as in telling

to express (a thought or emotion) in words why don't you just say what's on your mind?

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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as in reciting

to give from memory say your prayers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reading

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

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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

Noun

As part of their annual Halloween decor drop, Anthropologie released Halloween bistro tile items that blend classic motifs and sayings with the Bistro Tile Collection’s Parisian style. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Aug. 2026 Teachers of science, mathematics and English were expected to include Quranic verses, sayings and traditions attributed to the Prophet Muhammad or other religious messages in their lessons. — Fatima Faizi, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

Holocaust survivors and committee members later responded to the criticism by saying this was exactly the point of the sculpture. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026 Of course, saying Black people don’t really look or talk like this arguably misses the point of the parody. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for saying

Recent Examples of Synonyms for saying

Noun

That proverb, attributed to everyone from Yogi Berra to a Danish Nobel laureate, springs to mind whenever someone asks me about an upcoming NFL season.

— Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
An ancient proverb notes that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of proverb

Verb

Those are police officers and people up high at CPD, literally calling me, meeting with us, telling us that morale’s at an all-time low.

— Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Dawadi ordered those already there to leave and called bus drivers, telling them to only stop at safer places.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of telling

Verb

Even those who did not know Parton personally felt the loss, with Sarah Jessica Parker expressing her admiration for the multi-hyphenate.

— Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026
The State Department issued a statement on Wednesday expressing condolences to the victims of the flooding and pledged financial support.

— Matteo Moschella, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of expressing

Verb

Bowie allegedly told other users about her oath and shared the audio file of her reciting the pledge with them.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026
The process can take many forms – journaling, reciting the Psalm, YouTubing the Shofar, giving tzedakah, meditating, reading.

— Risa Polansky Shiman, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of reciting

Verb

Coronated at age 3 after his father’s death, the curious boy king in colorful robes mesmerized world leaders and ruled through regents until assuming full authority at 18.

— Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
At those levels, assuming no additional charges, paying off the debt while making minimum payments could take nearly 27 years and cost nearly $13,000 in interest alone, according to Bankrate's credit card calculator.

— Mike Winters, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of assuming

Noun

Presidents across party lines celebrated Dolly Parton on Tuesday following her death, speaking to the country icon’s ability to transcend politics through her work that often spoke louder than words.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
The advance word on his performance here has been very strong.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of word

Verb

When families of the Lincoln’s sailors started talking with reporters, their complaints were met with contempt from the top.

— Andrea N. Goldstein, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Taken with each other, Celine agrees to continue talking with Jesse in Vienna before his morning flight.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of talking

Verb

There was a case being made here, without stating it quite so bluntly, that the two greatest decades for women in pop music were the ’90s and the 2020s.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
The California Highway Patrol posted on social media stating that the crash involved a single big rig near Floriston, east of Truckee.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of stating

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sayers

saying

sayings

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Style

“Saying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saying. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of saying

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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