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
This revelation reframes much of the earlier novel, from his paranoia to his discomfort in stiff formal clothing to his father’s obsession with manliness.
—
Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2024
But there are challenges for shifting diets toward less beef, from misinformation about soy and protein, to social stigmas connecting beef-eating with manliness.
—Julia Simon, NPR, 15 Sep. 2024
By doing so, those conservatives are seemingly hoping to intertwine Trump with the rough-and-tumble mythology that the country’s youngest president himself played up — a paragon of manliness who fought in wars, hunted big game and tamed the wilderness.
—Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 16 July 2024
Ruiz presidential campaign The road to parity Mexico is known internationally for its machismo, a cultural emphasis put on stereotypical manliness and control.
—Riley Robinson, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for manliness
Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2024
But there are challenges for shifting diets toward less beef, from misinformation about soy and protein, to social stigmas connecting beef-eating with manliness.
—Julia Simon, NPR, 15 Sep. 2024
By doing so, those conservatives are seemingly hoping to intertwine Trump with the rough-and-tumble mythology that the country’s youngest president himself played up — a paragon of manliness who fought in wars, hunted big game and tamed the wilderness.
—Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 16 July 2024
Ruiz presidential campaign The road to parity Mexico is known internationally for its machismo, a cultural emphasis put on stereotypical manliness and control.
—Riley Robinson, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for manliness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manliness
masculinity
Noun
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Maybe masculinity still does mean taking care of and protecting your partner, being the breadwinner and remaining stoic all the same.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Tate, meanwhile, is a former professional kickboxer who amassed millions of followers on social media while pushing his polarizing brand of far-right toxic masculinity.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Manliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manliness. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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