as in masculinity
the set of qualities traditionally considered appropriate for or characteristic of men
studio executives wondered if the actor possessed the manliness expected in an action hero
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Recent Examples of manliness
Being the naive newbie in Idaho does suit Cale, with his British lilt and fey enthusiasm for the manliness of the West.
—
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
Studying Latin taught me that contemporary anxieties about manliness and cosmopolitanism date back thousands of years.
—Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
But just like the men who understood changing a diaper in the 1990s didn't take away their manliness, so can participating in their spouse's emotional needs.
—Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Unsubstantiated claims about the distracting nature of women, the perils of feminine qualities, and the inherent manliness of war hardly provide a solid foundation on which to construct policy.
—Megan H. MacKenzie, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2012
See All Example Sentences for manliness
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
Studying Latin taught me that contemporary anxieties about manliness and cosmopolitanism date back thousands of years.
—Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
But just like the men who understood changing a diaper in the 1990s didn't take away their manliness, so can participating in their spouse's emotional needs.
—Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Unsubstantiated claims about the distracting nature of women, the perils of feminine qualities, and the inherent manliness of war hardly provide a solid foundation on which to construct policy.
—Megan H. MacKenzie, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2012
See All Example Sentences for manliness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manliness
masculinity
Noun
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Adapted from Antonio Scurati’s novel, the series delves into the darker aspects of Mussolini’s character, illustrating how his toxic masculinity and exploitation of fear led to his ascent, while inviting viewers to reflect on the broader implications of his story in today’s political landscape.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
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In a quintet of fine performances, his stands out in this moment so removed from when Becky Shaw debuted (2008 was not bursting at the seams with essays on our crisis of masculinity).—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Manliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manliness. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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