as in maleness
the set of qualities considered appropriate for or characteristic of men
some men believe that wearing pink would undermine their masculinity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 masculinity
Skinner is a particularly sharp satirist of the relentless policing of masculinity by other men.
—
Marina Harss, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
Frustrated that his dad seems to have given up on her, and conditioned to believe that protecting your own at any cost is the only valid expression of masculinity, Spike loads a few arrows in his quiver and sneaks back to the mainland with his mom in tow.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 June 2025
This depth is not a departure from masculinity but a reintegration.
—Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
In the wake of this gender reckoning, curious forms of masculinity have emerged online.
—Chuka Emezue, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for masculinity
Marina Harss, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
Frustrated that his dad seems to have given up on her, and conditioned to believe that protecting your own at any cost is the only valid expression of masculinity, Spike loads a few arrows in his quiver and sneaks back to the mainland with his mom in tow.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 June 2025
This depth is not a departure from masculinity but a reintegration.
—Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
In the wake of this gender reckoning, curious forms of masculinity have emerged online.
—Chuka Emezue, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for masculinity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masculinity
Noun
-
The traditional markers of manhood, like being the breadwinner and having a romantic partner, are out of reach for many young men.—
Kian Bakhtiari,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
-
This survey comes at a time when boys are inundated with confusing societal messages about manhood, and firearms continue to be the leading cause of death for children and teenagers.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
There's a true earthy manliness that's really f---ing raw and awesome.—
Yolanda Machado,
EW.com,
30 Apr. 2025
-
One of the most famous of the walkers was Edward Payton Weston, whose many ultra-walks touted a mix of sensationalism, spectacle, manliness, and health.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This and That • If the pissing in his tight pants escapade wasn’t enough of a sign, Harry’s worried about what growing older will do to his virility.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
20 June 2025
-
For men, particularly in the years before erectile medications hit the market, older paternity was tacitly perceived as a nod to enduring virility.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
14 June 2025
Noun
-
An emerging critique of aggrieved white machismo comes off, mostly, as a shallow topical hook.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
27 June 2025
-
Their meanderings spawn endless trading back and forth in a pathetic, albeit machismo, fashion.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Masculinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masculinity. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share