as in demeanor
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
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Recent Examples of manners
American elites aped European fashions, art, and manners, and Europeans admired American energy and efficiency.
—
Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Judith Martin's Miss Manners column has chronicled the continuous rise and fall of American manners since 1978.
—Judith Martin, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Very few Americans oppose democracy, but two-thirds are living paycheck-to-paycheck, and good manners and democratic theory won’t cover food, rent, or health care.
—Jamie Holmes, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
This Is the Way to Tea Party From setting the table to greeting guests, Cece teaches her friends how to use their best manners while enjoying a tea party.
—Alex Vance, Parents, 2 Jan. 2026
Like Nighty Night, Such Brave Girls takes a sledgehammer to the flimsy framework of manners that keeps the British social construct (barely) hanging together, exposing the malice and envy that so often lie beneath the politeness.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 Dec. 2025
Keep your emotions in check and pack your manners.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
Where and when exactly the manners of wielding silverware drifted apart, however, is harder to pinpoint.
—Terry Ward, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025
This notecard set comes in a playful cabana stripe and a trendy color-scape (dusty blue, burgundy, cherry red), perfect for the letter-writing 20-something or a teen with great manners.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 15 Dec. 2025
Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Judith Martin's Miss Manners column has chronicled the continuous rise and fall of American manners since 1978.
—Judith Martin, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Very few Americans oppose democracy, but two-thirds are living paycheck-to-paycheck, and good manners and democratic theory won’t cover food, rent, or health care.
—Jamie Holmes, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
This Is the Way to Tea Party From setting the table to greeting guests, Cece teaches her friends how to use their best manners while enjoying a tea party.
—Alex Vance, Parents, 2 Jan. 2026
Like Nighty Night, Such Brave Girls takes a sledgehammer to the flimsy framework of manners that keeps the British social construct (barely) hanging together, exposing the malice and envy that so often lie beneath the politeness.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 Dec. 2025
Keep your emotions in check and pack your manners.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
Where and when exactly the manners of wielding silverware drifted apart, however, is harder to pinpoint.
—Terry Ward, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025
This notecard set comes in a playful cabana stripe and a trendy color-scape (dusty blue, burgundy, cherry red), perfect for the letter-writing 20-something or a teen with great manners.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manners
Noun
-
His unassuming demeanor belies the fact that his generations-spanning music has been lauded by The New York Times and Billboard.—
DeAsia Paige,
AJC.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
But some of the most common houseplants, beloved for their stunning foliage and low-maintenance demeanor, are actually part of the succulent family.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Nikki Sawhney is a certified etiquette consultant and the director of the New England School of Protocol in Massachusetts.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
1 Feb. 2026
-
What is the etiquette for appreciating live performances these days?—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In terms of public attitudes to these vehicles in Europe, the picture is murky.—
Laurie Winkless,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
For four decades, Megadeth have been high priests—not the highest, but close—in a church of metal where technical prowess, breakneck tempos, and sneering attitude are the holiest of virtues.—
Eli Enis,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
At this point, the proprieties of writing op eds call upon us to offer citations to this effect.—
Oded J K Faran,
Oc Register,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But their deployment, marauding the streets of American communities, operating with military posture and lethal force, supersedes that mission and strikes at the heart of constitutional governance.—
Larry Pino,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
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At the same time, its electronic warfare suite readies missiles capable of both active and passive jamming, signalling a transition from monitoring to full electronic countermeasure posture as the situation develops around the vessel, the South China Morning Post reported.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Can Tottenham, with the unit currently available to Frank, turn their form around entirely and push towards the European places?—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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Ask your questions in the form below (can’t see it?—
Angela Rodriguez,
Sacbee.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Manners.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manners. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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