manner

1
as in etiquette
manners plural personal conduct or behavior as evaluated by an accepted standard of appropriateness for a social or professional setting the young man's impeccable manners are an unmistakable sign of a good upbringing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in mode
a distinctive way of putting ideas into words the former doctor writes his novels very much in the manner of someone who is used to observing the smallest details

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun manner contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of manner are bearing, carriage, demeanor, deportment, and mien. While all these words mean "the outward manifestation of personality or attitude," manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others.

the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders

When can bearing be used instead of manner?

The meanings of bearing and manner largely overlap; however, bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.

a woman of regal bearing

When could carriage be used to replace manner?

The words carriage and manner are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking.

the kind of carriage learned at boarding school

In what contexts can demeanor take the place of manner?

The synonyms demeanor and manner are sometimes interchangeable, but demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.

the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter

When is deportment a more appropriate choice than manner?

The words deportment and manner can be used in similar contexts, but deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.

your deportment was atrocious

Where would mien be a reasonable alternative to manner?

In some situations, the words mien and manner are roughly equivalent. However, mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor.

a mien of supreme self-satisfaction

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 manner Due to his austere and detached manner, he is known to immediately inspire awe in his patients. Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025 Her manner of death was homicide. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2025 Green Apron is part of Niccol's broader Back to Starbucks turnaround plan , which aims to deliver a personalized coffeehouse experience in a timely manner. Paulina Likos, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025 Especially, when done in such a manner that goes back on agreements made with transparency, criminal justice stakeholders and the Assembly Public Safety Committee. Charles Champion, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for manner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manner
Noun
  • While that's ok to do, there are some unspoken etiquette rules to follow.
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Here are the rules of tailgate etiquette that every Southern fan should follow this football season.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Now supposedly dying from some terminal illness, Julian has gone total hermit mode inside of his cluttered London apartment, where the walls are festooned with the relics of his success and the backrooms are a junk pile of painful memories.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Twist the powertrain mode knob to Track, watch the digital dash retract itself to give you a cleaner view, then activate Launch mode via a console button, and prepare to have your sense of speed lightly warped.
    Sean Evans, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • New rides like this one can cost $100 million, if not more, to create; incorporate LiDAR laser systems of the kind used on self-driving cars; and rely on robotic figures with thousands of moving parts.
    Bianca Bosker, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2025
  • That's consistency — but not the good kind.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Vote as many times as you’d like until then without using bots or any other artificial methods of voting.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Likewise, the internet has made fundraising much easier with the use of online payment methods, which are easy to set up and difficult to trace.
    Richard Frankel, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • His unpolished demeanor and inability to grasp the issues presented a challenge.
    Kimberly Ross, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • And Parker saw maturity in his demeanor at that dinner — now a true goldfish who could shrug off any previous play.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • From red carpets to boxing rings, fashion shows to live concerts, stars filled every corner of the spotlight with style, power, and presence.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Patricia Astorga, the artistic director and founder of DanzArts, said that people who were not Mexican could come to the celebration and see the culture and the dance styles of different regions of Mexico.
    Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Hilleary, at the campaign event, also harshly criticized Biden’s immigration policies and his administration’s approach to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Powered by 70% rosemary water, oil, and extract alongside capixyl, this could be a great option for someone interested in a more natural approach, rooted in optimizing overall scalp health.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The Two Hearts Of A New MacBook Apple has been reluctant to feed these demands over the last decade, but there are signs that the attitude is thawing.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The attitude of last season has vanished, replaced by that performative pregame dustup as Texas A&M headed toward its locker room.
    Pete Sampson, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Manner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manner. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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