manly

adverb

man·ly | \ ˈman-lē

Definition of manly

(Entry 1 of 2)

: in a manly manner

manly

adjective

manlier; manliest

Definition of manly (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : having qualities generally associated with a man : strong, virile

2 : appropriate in character to a man manly sports

Other Words from manly Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about manly

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Synonyms & Antonyms for manly

Synonyms: Adjective

male, man-size (or man-sized), manlike, mannish, masculine, virile

Antonyms: Adjective

unmanly, unmasculine

Examples of manly in a Sentence

Adjective

He wasn't manly enough to fight. He has a deep, manly voice.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

The company recruited figures from the sports world—the NASCAR driver Mark Martin, the soccer player Pelé, the baseball player Rafael Palmeiro—to star in ads that emphasized men being classically manly: speeding, winning, overcoming. — Megan Garber, The Atlantic, "Jagged Little (Blue) Pill," 27 Mar. 2018 Ranching work was challenging, manly and allowed black people to make as much as whites. — The Economist, "Restoring black Americans to the saddle," 25 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The other great theme of the Jungle Books is that of personal growth through manly, stressful adventure in the wild. — Charles Mcgrath, The New Yorker, "Rudyard Kipling in America," 1 July 2019 The development of seaside resorts like Newport but also Long Branch in New Jersey, catering to the affluent, occasioned near drownings, which inspired the storyline of manly rescue. — Brian T. Allen, National Review, "Silver Sailing Cups Recall Gilded Age Glamour and Sexuality," 29 June 2019 Wright clearly tailored the 6,500-square-foot main house to the wealthy bachelor’s manly tastes. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Couple shares 25-year love affair with Frank Lloyd Wright home," 18 June 2019 Later evidence has shown that Keats took his hostile reviews with a considerably more manly calm than we were taught in school, and yet the image of the young, rare talent cut down by venomous reviewers remains firmly fixed in the public mind. — Elizabeth Hardwick, Harper's magazine, "Literary Failure," 10 June 2019 Yet by every account, the philosopher was exceptionally ugly, his mien marred by monstrous bulging eyes, in a society that prized manly beauty as a virtue partaking of the divine. — Jamie James, WSJ, "‘Socrates in Love’ Review: A Vigorous, Brilliant Young Man," 17 May 2019 Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, of Brazil, is the sort of human being that English and American soccer pundits, schooled in the cult of manly stoicism and prone to self-righteous sermons about fair play, were born to disdain. — Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, "The Annoying Genius Who Makes the World Cup Worth Watching," 5 July 2018 There was an irresistible force of logic, a clinching power of argument, and a manly disregard of everything like sophistry... — John J. Miller, WSJ, "‘Lincoln’s Confidant’ Review: The Friend Who Listened," 15 Feb. 2019 Pushing through pain is supposed to be heroic and manly. — Noah Berlatsky, The Verge, "Daredevil’s ‘suffering makes a man’ trope is common, familiar, and bad for everyone," 24 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'manly.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.