manliness 1 of 2

as in masculinity
the set of qualities traditionally considered appropriate for or characteristic of men studio executives wondered if the actor possessed the manliness expected in an action hero

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

manly

2 of 2

adjective

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 manliness
Noun
But there are challenges for shifting diets toward less beef, from misinformation about soy and protein, to social stigmas connecting beef-eating with manliness. Julia Simon, NPR, 15 Sep. 2024 By doing so, those conservatives are seemingly hoping to intertwine Trump with the rough-and-tumble mythology that the country’s youngest president himself played up — a paragon of manliness who fought in wars, hunted big game and tamed the wilderness. Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 16 July 2024
Adjective
And women who tried to build muscle were seen as manly or unnatural. Danielle Friedman, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025 A lot of people think that’s manly. Marc Malkin, Variety, 15 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for manliness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manliness
Noun
  • Frustrated that his dad seems to have given up on her, and conditioned to believe that protecting your own at any cost is the only valid expression of masculinity, Spike loads a few arrows in his quiver and sneaks back to the mainland with his mom in tow.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 June 2025
  • This depth is not a departure from masculinity but a reintegration.
    Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • While the male costars were snubbed for any major award nominations that year for the film, actress Kirsten Dunst scored a Golden Globe best supporting actress nod for her portrayal in the film.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 June 2025
  • There is no word yet on other casting picks, but the film will surely provide excellent roles for a variety of stars, including Marianne, and a trio of male suitors the sisters come to know, including Edward Ferrars, Colonel Brandon, and John Willoughby.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • With collaborator and creative director Alasdair Willis bringing masculine energy to the aesthetic, the brand became increasingly inclusive — some studios now see their clientele consist of over 40% male, which is rarely, if ever, seen in the beauty industry.
    Angela Lei, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • European premium denim brand Closed and Dutch lingerie label Love Stories have teamed up for a capsule collection that blends feminine and masculine elements.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 12 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Manliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manliness. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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