Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mannerism contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of mannerism are affectation, airs, air, and pose. While all these words mean "an adopted way of speaking or behaving," mannerism applies to an acquired eccentricity that has become a habit.

gesturing with a cigarette was her most noticeable mannerism

When would affectation be a good substitute for mannerism?

In some situations, the words affectation and mannerism are roughly equivalent. However, affectation applies to a trick of speech or behavior that strikes the observer as insincere.

the posh accent is an affectation

When can air be used instead of mannerism?

The words air and mannerism can be used in similar contexts, but air may suggest natural acquirement through environment or way of life.

a traveler's sophisticated air

When could airs be used to replace mannerism?

Although the words airs and mannerism have much in common, airs always implies artificiality and pretentiousness.

snobbish airs

When is pose a more appropriate choice than mannerism?

The words pose and mannerism are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pose implies an attitude deliberately assumed in order to impress others.

her shyness was just a pose

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 mannerism Thin with effeminate mannerisms, Mulumba, who is Ugandan American, grew up in a yellow house in Westchester with six siblings; their mother; and their father, Dr. Joseph Kazigo, a surgeon. John J. Lennon, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2025 Fans of the film noticed the similarities between the actor and his character’s mannerisms, which surprised the Deadpool actor. Emily Blackwood, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025 These mannerisms trickle down to the organization’s employees. John Hall, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025 The actor skillfully plays nine different roles using props, tone, and mannerisms to differentiate the characters, with the compact setting making the action feel all the more intimate. Staff Author, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mannerism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mannerism
Noun
  • Rea allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings, improving to 4-0 with another no-flash performance that did the trick.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025
  • Label tricks, regional cues and color considerations for better picking at the wine shop.
    Rachel King, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Powered by Adelaide, Forbes AI Psychological safety, defined by McKinsey as the absence of interpersonal fear, is often cited as a defining trait of high-performing, innovative teams.
    Cynthia Pong, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • Just like my friends, my family and Los Angeles, Yassir benefited from this trait of mine.
    Hannah Benson, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Titan shows all the characteristics of a planet – including rivers, lakes, clouds, rain and even a salty subsurface ocean.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 12 May 2025
  • Rebecca’s wholehearted characteristics and attributes connect her to the Water sign Pisces, who takes on problems with others due to their absorbance and empathetic nature.
    Lisa Stardust, People.com, 11 May 2025
Noun
  • Encourage critical thinking, discussions about activism or policy, and personal responsibility, such as changing their consumption habits or volunteering.
    Taylor Grothe, Parents, 14 May 2025
  • Develop active listening habits Practice focusing entirely on what others are saying rather than formulating your response.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Cannabis laws are a patchwork of contradictions, quirks, and outright oddities.
    Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 6 May 2025
  • Share controversial beliefs, personal quirks, and unique coaching frameworks.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In an expansive interview alongside playwright and filmmaker David Mamet, LaBeouf spoke about how his and Coppola's disparate idiosyncrasies often led to frustrations on set of the sprawling sci-fi drama, which had been a decades-long passion project for Coppola but ended up as a high-profile flop.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 8 May 2025
  • Those idiosyncrasies are what make the sport so exceptional.
    Jim Root, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Antoine’s peculiarities perhaps cut deepest, even seemingly superficial ones.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
  • There are echoes of the early days of thermodynamics, which began with humble questions about how machines work and ended up speaking to the arrow of time, the peculiarities of living matter, and the fate of the universe.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Through the divination trial, the audience learns that much of Lilia’s eccentricity comes from her experience living life out of order, giving more context to moments earlier in the season, where the character would blurt out what seemed to be random statements.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 12 May 2025
  • Lyonne forged a career by finding and later creating projects that capitalized on her undeniably intrepid personality, wrapping the roles around her eccentricities rather than conforming to what was expected of a female performer in Hollywood.
    Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mannerism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mannerism. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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