Synonym Chooser

How does the noun deportment contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of deportment are bearing, carriage, demeanor, manner, and mien. While all these words mean "the outward manifestation of personality or attitude," deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.

your deportment was atrocious

When can bearing be used instead of deportment?

The synonyms bearing and deportment are sometimes interchangeable, but bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.

a woman of regal bearing

When is carriage a more appropriate choice than deportment?

The words carriage and deportment 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 deportment?

Although the words demeanor and deportment have much in common, demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.

the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter

When is it sensible to use manner instead of deportment?

While the synonyms manner and deportment 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 could mien be used to replace deportment?

The meanings of mien and deportment 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 deportment Was Hill’s deportment absolutely perfect? Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025 Why cast a hearing actor with tremendous charisma next to a deaf actor who is made out (in costuming, grooming and general deportment) to be a schlub? Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024 But on the first night of a three-day visit to Southern California, the focus shifted to Williams’ personality, deportment and wiring. Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2024 Rubinstein opened salons around the world to sell her products and the lifestyle associated with them, offering everything from skin analysis to deportment classes. The Editors, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for deportment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deportment
Noun
  • Chisholm's behavior in the locker room afterwards told the rest of the story.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Adjust model behavior to match age-appropriate rules.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Put a quick stop to any slobbering and jumping on people, which can ruin their clothes as well as their otherwise pleasant demeanor.
    Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Big horse, calm demeanor On Friday and Saturday nights, people might just bump into Ross on Lower Broadway.
    Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Laughter from the crowd breaks the tension of what could have been understood as metaphor for Netanyahu’s actions.
    Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deportment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deportment. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on deportment

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