manner

1
as in etiquette
manners plural personal conduct or behavior as evaluated by an accepted standard of appropriateness for a social or professional setting the young man's impeccable manners are an unmistakable sign of a good upbringing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in mode
a distinctive way of putting ideas into words the former doctor writes his novels very much in the manner of someone who is used to observing the smallest details

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun manner contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of manner are bearing, carriage, demeanor, deportment, and mien. While all these words mean "the outward manifestation of personality or attitude," 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 bearing be used instead of manner?

The meanings of bearing and manner largely overlap; however, bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.

a woman of regal bearing

When could carriage be used to replace manner?

The words carriage and manner 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 manner?

The synonyms demeanor and manner are sometimes interchangeable, but demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.

the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter

When is deportment a more appropriate choice than manner?

The words deportment and manner can be used in similar contexts, but deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.

your deportment was atrocious

Where would mien be a reasonable alternative to manner?

In some situations, the words mien and manner are roughly equivalent. 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 manner Has an all-time great defensive player ever torpedoed his own quarterback's Hall case in such a manner? Mike Sando, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 With Prescott’s performance canceled out by yet another rough defensive outing, the result could have easily found itself in a much more unfavorable manner. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025 The three, from Southern California, were arrested and booked into Mono County Jail on suspicion of willful discharge of a firearm in a grossly negligent manner, a felony. Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025 Rivas Hernandez's cause and manner of death remain under investigation. Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for manner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manner
Noun
  • When Someone Gaslights You So what's the proper etiquette around phone usage during therapy?
    Angela Haupt, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Nehmeh agrees something has gone missing in the age of remote work, noting reports of some companies offering etiquette classes to Gen Z on how to act in meetings, dress for work, and talk to clients.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The new modes of reception (private not public) explain why the cancellation of Disney+ subscriptions concentrated the minds of corporate executives more powerfully than the black outs by affiliate stations.
    Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Safdie takes a story of passion and fury, of rage and torment, and reduces it to the arm’s-length mode of the interesting.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Fireworks or incendiary devices of any kind.
    Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Sirras said that award looks to be the first of its kind, and the board likely offered it to Nejatian because of a blessing from Opendoor’s cofounders, Eric Wu and Khosla Ventures’ Keith Rabois.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Experts say women who are unsure should talk with their health care provider about their individual breast cancer risk and the potential benefits and drawbacks of different screening methods.
    Dr. Megha Gupta, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The paper is a new way of combining a bunch of ideas that are already out there, but the method hasn’t yet been proven at scale.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 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
  • Rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan used another adjective to describe Dowdle’s running style.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The cabin-style home’s external features are just as impressive as what’s inside, too.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Even a brief mention of the issue from a patient can help alert professionals to take a more sensitive approach during treatments and examinations.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Our attitude influences others.
    Jonathan Carone, Parents, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Therefore, his win-now, impress-now attitude probably should come as no surprise.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 3 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Manner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manner. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on manner

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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