Definition of demeanornext

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 Indeed, the polar opposite of both Number One’s icy demeanor and Chapel’s long-suffering yearning, Majel is remembered by friends and colleagues as a boisterous, brassy, take-no-prisoners presence. — Scott Huver, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026 Moody, who by then had gained a reputation amongst colleagues for her keep-calm-and-carry-on demeanor, reassured Waller-Bridge, then locked her in a room and told her to keep writing. — Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026 With her severe bob and icy demeanor, Miranda chills her underlings to the bone. — Jami Ganz, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Sep. 2026 The moves made around him rubbed off on an already confident demeanor. — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for demeanor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demeanor
Noun
  • Researchers have found that a hijacks brain circuit, which to drive increasingly rigid and repetitive behavior.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
  • On top of that, an additional system that was automatically supposed to stop training runs once misaligned behavior was detected had failed.
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In others, his accounts bought the debt after the federal government had executed regulatory or funding actions involving the very same borrower or project.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Within this region are two major neural pathways, known as the direct and indirect pathways, which appear to exert opposing influences over which actions are expressed.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Top banking analyst Mike Mayo of Wells Fargo is out with his third-quarter earnings preview, with mixed attitudes on Club names BNY and Goldman Sachs .
    — Matthew J. Belvedere,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The traits measure a player’s attitude, toughness, discipline, love for the game and commitment to his teammates.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Demeanor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demeanor. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster