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 With his soulful eyes and quiet demeanor, Barteau became the feel-good story of the Tour. Tom Campbell, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 Her family, who emigrated from the Congo, described her smile as warm and her demeanor as gentle. Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026 These pups are actually much like cats with their quiet nature and calm demeanor. Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 28 July 2026 Misdemeanors carry up to a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail if found guilty and gross demeanors carry up to a $5,000 fine and a year in jail. Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for demeanor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demeanor
Noun
  • The findings provide fresh insight into how closely human behavior influences the Earth’s subtle seismic signals, while also helping to dispel the long-standing myth that eclipses can trigger earthquakes.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The corresponding non-chiral electrodes did not show the same behavior.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Small businesses may also be able to reduce their taxes through actions like providing employee benefits or starting retirement plans.
    Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Hugging Face, for its part, published a forensic timeline, describing how the autonomous AI system spent four and a half days executing 17,600 distinct hacking actions across multiple organizations — without direct involvement by any humans.
    Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • My attitude, when adults behave like middle-schoolers, is to take the high road and ignore it.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • After four years of orbiting Mars, the orbiter ran out of attitude-control propellant, so NASA had to shut it down.
    Tariq Malik, Space.com, 7 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Demeanor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demeanor. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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