Synonym Chooser

How does the noun demeanor contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of demeanor are bearing, carriage, deportment, manner, and mien. While all these words mean "the outward manifestation of personality or attitude," demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.

the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter

Where would bearing be a reasonable alternative to demeanor?

The words bearing and demeanor can be used in similar contexts, but bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.

a woman of regal bearing

When is it sensible to use carriage instead of demeanor?

Although the words carriage and demeanor have much in common, carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking.

the kind of carriage learned at boarding school

When would deportment be a good substitute for demeanor?

While in some cases nearly identical to demeanor, deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.

your deportment was atrocious

When could manner be used to replace demeanor?

While the synonyms manner and demeanor are close in meaning, 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 mien be used instead of demeanor?

The meanings of mien and demeanor largely overlap; 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 demeanor Things don’t go her way, and our rag-tag band of heroes escapes with a mysterious man named Bob (Lewis Pullan) with equally mysterious powers and an adorably affable demeanor. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025 In the practiced government kabuki of these events, commissioners spoke, proposals were voted on unanimously, and chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by Donald Trump, ran things smoothly, though his demeanor was rather boisterous. Steven Levy, Wired News, 2 May 2025 In all, five cops and detectives over the next few hours heard Gutierrez’s account and witnessed her distressed demeanor, the letter states. Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2025 The Argentine pope, who contended with Catholic Church traditionalists opposed to his reforms, was known for his warm demeanor and for spurning any kind of grandeur: Living at a guesthouse in the Vatican, taking public transportation, wearing plain white cassocks. Susan Miller, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for demeanor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demeanor
Noun
  • Based on their past behavior, cicadas from Brood XIV will likely make their appearances in 14 states, said Gene Kritsky, founder of Cicada Safari, a group that gathers data on the insects.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Similarly, 50% reported that anxiety over the current political climate is influencing their own career plans while 40% said that anxiety is affecting their behavior at their current role.
    Eva Epker, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • These innocuous-seeming actions can kindle dry vegetation, potentially spawning a wildfire.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2025
  • For some government employees, levels of access to this information is determined by their job functions via a formal security clearance process and vetting actions.
    Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • If cinema is going to survive, per McQuarrie, the players and studios involved have to prop each other rather than taking an attitude of crushing each other.
    Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 14 May 2025
  • However, the need to keep secrets that confer a competitive advantage could affect decisions and attitudes about exactly how transparent AI should be.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Demeanor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demeanor. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on demeanor

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