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

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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

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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 Public institutions can legally establish time, place and manner restrictions on free expression as long as these restrictions are narrowly tailored. Cate Charron, IndyStar, 2 Sep. 2025 Did these echoes develop in an organic manner? Jane Ciabattari september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025 The 63-year-old Plainfield man died from drowning but the manner of his suspicious death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner’ office. Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025 Many of the attendees at the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance car show dressed in a manner that may have seemed at least familiar 100 years ago to the original owners of the 1924 Hispano-Suiza that won Best in Show at Pebble this year. Michael Khouw, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for manner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manner
Noun
  • Interns are paid and work between 10 to 15 weeks with opportunities to attend workshops and seminars that teach topics like email etiquette, how to create elevator pitches and other social skills.
    Peyton Robinson, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Boomer wedding guests have sparked a viral discussion about modern-day wedding etiquette.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Reading/writing, the traditional mode, relies on textbooks and note-taking.
    Suzanne Wright, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
  • These real-world failures underscore that any LLM, regardless of domain, must undergo systematic red-teaming to uncover hidden failure modes before it is exposed to end users.
    David Talby, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Subsequently, a first-of-its-kind study by Stanford, led by cutting-edge AI researcher Erik Brynjolfsson, has found that since late 2022, fewer young people are being hired into occupations that are heavily exposed to automation by AI.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Sep. 2025
  • The public health crisis was linked to around a dozen deaths and is believed to be the largest outbreak of its kind in fluid milk in the nation.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The college attributed increasing nonparticipating student counts to improved methods of tracking student participation.
    Edward McKinnon, Arkansas Online, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Family members can use their own payment methods to make purchases.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • His demeanor was downbeat and filled with disappointment in his performances.
    Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Skye even correctly guesses how long Billy has been microdosing ‘shrooms, based on his chill demeanor.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Free People’s carefree, bohemian pieces are the epitome of vacation style—and just in time for Labor Day weekend, the brand is hosting an epic end-of-season sale that makes refreshing your packing list more affordable than ever.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Online shoppers have access to a broader range of frames, styles, and colors that are often limited in retail stores.
    Jason Phillips, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Was the patient approach the right one?
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Chalk all the cameos up to Jerry Jr’s marketing efforts chasing celebs, Frankie’s absurd mustache and personality, plus Jerry Senior’s focus on delivering the attitude that Apocalypse customers appreciate.
    Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Prior to their wedding, the couple faced backlash when fans criticized her behavior on social media after the Kennesaw State University alum seemingly had a bad attitude while Hunter posed with his fans at an event.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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