saying 1 of 2

noun

ˈsā-iŋ How to pronounce saying (audio)
Definition of sayingnext
as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience there's an old saying that you should let sleeping dogs lie

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saying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of say
1
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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2
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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3
as in reciting
to give from memory say your prayers

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4
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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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
Shoppers rave about the surprisingly simple installation process, with many saying set up took less than a day. — Kate Boswell, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026 The next three chapters offer an anthology of sayings from rabbis who were active in the early centuries of the Common Era, including Hillel and Johanan ben Zakkai, among many other tannaim. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
Verb
On April 20, Iran’s semiofficial Mehr News Agency quoted Abbas Masjedi, the head of Iran’s Forensic Medicine Organization, as saying that 3,375 people had been killed in the war. — Max Butterworth, NBC news, 15 Aug. 2026 Attacks have continued since then, with the UK Maritime Trade Operations saying on Saturday that it had been notified of a projectile striking the hull of a bulk carrier. — Arsalan Shahla, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for saying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for saying
  1. proverb
  2. telling
  3. expressing
  4. reciting
  5. assuming
  6. word
  7. talking
  8. stating
Noun
  • There’s a football proverb so old that, well, good luck attempting to find its original source.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
  • The reason can be explained by a Japanese proverb about the importance of leaving no mess.
    — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026
Definition of proverb
Verb
  • Florian Maurice, the former Rennes technical director, is telling a story about Jeremy Jacquet and how the Frenchman was destined for the top.
    — Gregg Evans, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Or, at least, for the first time since the start of the war, some analysts on Wall Street might at least be willing to consider that the administration may be telling the truth about the state of the oil market.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of telling
Verb
  • Some of the people were expressing concern whether the aging ferry could handle strong waves, according to the video.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Every bag the dancers carried into rehearsal — from Trader Joe’s totes to a Target shopper — overflowed with layer upon layer of real ballet core, each piece serving a purpose for that dancer’s practice, but also expressing something more personal.
    — Claire Salinda, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of expressing
Verb
  • Narrated by Diane Lane, reciting Eleanor’s journals from the time, this is a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse that is both process-oriented and touchingly personal.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
  • In a unique adaptation of a traditional ceremony, the bridal party reinterpreted the seven blessings by reciting their own personalized blessing for the couple.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of reciting
Verb
  • His immediate tasks since assuming the top job have been sustaining momentum in Disney's core growth areas, namely its theme parks and streaming divisions.
    — Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In a sense, the proof shows that a world in which love never returns is a world whose geometry tears itself apart—assuming, of course, the proof holds up.
    — Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of assuming
Noun
  • The climactic scene in which Paulina conjures us with these words is one of the most breathtaking in Shakespeare.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026
  • There's no timeline yet, no word on how the money splits among the six firms, and no first project named.
    — Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of word
Verb
  • Two economists talking Acemoglu points to his relationship with his former colleague and fellow star economist, Stanford’s Erik Brynjolffson, as a model for how the AI debate could go.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • But how much eye contact is the appropriate amount when talking or listening to another person?
    — Terry Ward, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of talking
Verb
  • On August 4, CMS released a toolkit for state Medicaid programs, stating that more services are not always better.
    — Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas leader, acknowledged that Hamas’ tunnels were for protecting its fighters, not Gazan civilians, stating that protecting Gazans was not Hamas’ responsibility.
    — Daniel Kolkey, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of stating

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Cite this Entry

“Saying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saying. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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