Definition of mannernext
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 Senna holds an immortal presence in modern Formula 1 for the manner of his racing—ferocious, endowed with grace—and for his untimely death. — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026 Jett died from an acute overdose of fentanyl and the manner of death was homicide, according to a toxicology report cited by Stephan. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 The man’s body was taken by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026 Tuscarawas County Coroner Jeff Cameron will perform autopsies to determine the cause and manner of death. — Michael Guise, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manner
Noun
  • By the Victorian era, particularly following Prince Albert’s death in 1861 and Queen Victoria’s subsequent four decades in mourning, bereavement had evolved into an elaborate system of social etiquette.
    — Livia Caligor, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
  • And there would have been girls rebelling against social etiquette back then, like, there would now.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • With the Los Angeles Rams approaching panic mode, the NFC East in complete disarray and the Kansas City Chiefs preparing for their biggest test yet, there’s no shortage of drama heading into Week 7.
    — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The Tesla driver, a 26-year-old man from San Francisco, told authorities the vehicle had been operating in full self-driving autonomous mode at the time of the crash, CHP said.
    — Breaking News, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Over the period, visibility was supported by itinerant pop-ups under the new Miu Miu Vinyl Club format and the brand unveiled the Miu Miu Shanghai IFC lounge, a one-of-a-kind environment providing intimate hospitality.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Still, a controversy of some kind might have been inevitable.
    — Jack Denton, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Buyers are already putting money behind methods that remain difficult for outsiders to assess.
    — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • At the time, the team utilized a different error-correction method called Helix to demonstrate record-setting logical memory and computation.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Underneath Anthony Cabrera’s soft voice and quiet demeanor is a man who keeps a box of heads in his basement.
    — Rebecca Deurlein, AJC.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Known for his high-energy demeanor, his livestream content covers gaming, sports, stunts and travel.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Here’s a prime example of a more cryptic style of clue that sometimes pops up in late-week puzzles.
    — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The menu changes daily and features wide-ranging Italian and Tyrolean dishes such as quail risotto, Speckknöddelsuppe (bacon dumpling soup), pasta and veal ragout, Viennese-style schnitzel, spinach dumplings, and apple strudel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Based in El Paso, Texas, Mid-West Textile collects, sorts and grades used clothing and textiles for resale and other uses.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The details play like a movie, the tender indie sort, a period piece, a portrait of the nation before the 1960s truly kicked in.
    — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Proposals include limiting justices’ active service through legislation—an approach whose constitutionality is disputed—or through a constitutional amendment.
    — Connor Greene, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Back at the hotel, Vision boots up his head-laser when Paladin’s drone approaches.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Manner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manner. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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