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 The most recent death involved a man in his 60s whose manner of death was ruled a suicide, a spokesperson for the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office told FOX Business. Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025 For my British mum, Paddington was manners, tea, and marmalade sandwiches. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2025 Halsey might be welcoming fans back to the badlands, but that doesn’t mean people are allowed to have bad manners at their shows. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2025 Her cause and manner of death are pending. Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for manner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manner
Noun
  • The short video clip sparked online debate about culture, class and proper etiquette for eating certain foods.
    Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Taking the high-road—and practicing good meeting etiquette—can ultimately be an effective way to earn recognition, show genuine commitment, and build credibility.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The cars will have live humans behind the wheel, but the vehicles will be in autonomous mode.
    Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Chicago's pass rush was in need of a boost long before the injuries, so now, the Bears are in desperation mode on that end.
    Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • In March 2023, the company launched a pilot production line in South Korea, the first of its kind, and began producing prototype solid-state batteries by the end of the year.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Those small victories brought hope, the kind that makes every extra day feel like a gift.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Researchers have demonstrated that aqueous zinc-ion batteries can offer long-term cycling stability and higher energy density with a new method.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
  • From there, make a deposit with a secure payment method, like a credit card.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The footage shows Deiseroth’s demeanor teetering between sad and angry.
    David Goodhue October 24, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The comment is a nod to the stoic—or perhaps desensitized—demeanor of younger travelers in the face of stressors that rattle many.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Without Jamie Lloyd’s cameras there to do close-ups, Scherzinger played the anti-heroine just a little less for obsessive mania and more for pure Barbra-style butter.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Ahead, find every editor’s go-to airport shoes—a mix of comfort, style, and just the right amount of TSA-friendly swagger.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The research team claimed that this approach enables AeroMap to capture the main effects of drag without the high computing demands of more detailed simulations.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
  • This uneven approach means leaders can’t take a one-size-fits-all approach.
    Feon Ang, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The conversation seems to have marked a shift in the right’s attitudes about Fuentes.
    Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Is that indicative of a telling contrast in attitudes?
    Joe Kozlowski, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Manner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manner. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.

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