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 The Walt animatronic looks authentic and natural while capturing the appearance, movements and mannerisms of a man considered one of the 100 most influential people of the last century. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 14 July 2025 The performer explains that YouTube has been his best friend in nailing down not only Jackson’s dance moves, but off-stage mannerisms, too. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 4 July 2025 Its humor is tasked with hitting targets that are constantly in motion, so the characters never fully materialize, preventing us from partaking in their inside jokes or even the humor of their mannerisms. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 26 June 2025 Avoid judgments on their appearance, mannerisms or other unconscious biases related to personal characteristics. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for mannerism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mannerism
Noun
  • So is a certain pride in what one is able to get away with, the thrill of learning new tricks and showing them off.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
  • The trick, according to Brooks, is to think like an entrepreneur and treat your life like a startup.
    Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • When researchers ramped up RTN activity in otherwise normal mice, the animals developed autism-like traits.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025
  • This includes displaying traits like conscientiousness; being organized, responsible and disciplined.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Mastantuono, 18, has the characteristics to contribute from a deeper position, but his signing was intended for more attacking areas, as is being seen.
    Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Changeability is the unique characteristic of women.
    Clifford Coonan, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Leaders who treat this period as an opportunity to establish alignment, celebrate progress, and embed new habits set their organizations on a trajectory toward lasting ROI.
    Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Adults who have trouble sleeping or don’t maintain healthy sleeping habits can often trace those issues back to their first few months of life, says Golshevky.
    Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Journalists, as a result, will have no trouble recognizing themselves in The Paper, which captures the quirks, jargon, and inside jokes of newsroom life while still delivering plenty of laughs amid the chaos.
    Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The kooky characters surrounding Judge Stone included the conceited prosecutor Dan Fielding (John Larroquette), the imposing bailiff Bull Shannon (Richard Moll), and the idealistic public defender Christine Sullivan (Markie Post), each of whom had various quirks of their own.
    Dan Heching, EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Admittedly, Honolulu airport has its idiosyncrasies.
    Cemile Kavountzis, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2025
  • To me, all cats seem autistic, with their unusual idiosyncrasies, blank faces, and sensory sensitivity, but Nini takes it further.
    Tao Lin, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Quantum computers, which harness the peculiarities of quantum physics for gains in speed and computing ability over classical machines, may one day revolutionize technology.
    Ananya Palivela, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Beyond that technical stuff there is the peculiarity of what happens in the poem.
    A.O. Scott, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • What works best are the moments of humor, particularly those that seem to wink at Dafoe’s own eccentricities.
    Leila Latif, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
  • For all its domestic eccentricity, her upbringing was deeply conservative.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mannerism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mannerism. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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