as in maleness
the set of qualities considered appropriate for or characteristic of men
some men believe that wearing pink would undermine their masculinity
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of masculinity
Adapted from Antonio Scurati’s novel, the series delves into the darker aspects of Mussolini’s character, illustrating how his toxic masculinity and exploitation of fear led to his ascent, while inviting viewers to reflect on the broader implications of his story in today’s political landscape.
—
Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
In a quintet of fine performances, his stands out in this moment so removed from when Becky Shaw debuted (2008 was not bursting at the seams with essays on our crisis of masculinity).
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
Thundercat is the bard of absurdist masculinity.
—Daniel Felsenthal, Pitchfork, 7 Apr. 2026
For example, Chuck Norris memes gave people a way to critique over-the-top ideas of masculinity and the pressure to live up to them.
—Ben Pettis, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for masculinity
Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
In a quintet of fine performances, his stands out in this moment so removed from when Becky Shaw debuted (2008 was not bursting at the seams with essays on our crisis of masculinity).
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
Thundercat is the bard of absurdist masculinity.
—Daniel Felsenthal, Pitchfork, 7 Apr. 2026
For example, Chuck Norris memes gave people a way to critique over-the-top ideas of masculinity and the pressure to live up to them.
—Ben Pettis, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for masculinity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masculinity
Noun
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The men handling their maleness was interesting.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
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Fact is Bruce Springsteen has forever been a man of the people, a man in search of his own definition of his maleness and his humanity.—
Kevin Powell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Three refractions of broken American manhood in the modern age.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
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Because in the manosphere, failures of manhood are never your own.—
Miriam Eve Mora,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The fashion for bushy beards, and beards’ association with authentic manliness, has followed this same trajectory from irony to earnestness during its various resurgences since the early 19th century.—
Daniel Engber,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
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Suck it up, and embrace the steely, Vader-esque manliness of this Ultra-Tough cooler from RTIC.—
Matthew Korfhage,
Wired News,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The able-bodied white male stood for the virility of the New Deal nation-state.—
John P. Murphy,
ARTnews.com,
5 Apr. 2026
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And the working women clearly recognize the virility of him.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Yet maybe, as the cartoonish machismo of Trumpism proves its hollowness, America’s latent resentment can be channeled to better ends.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
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Co-directors Efraín Mojica and Rebecca Zweig mix cinema vérité, Super 8 footage, and stylized scenes into a cocktail where machismo and queerness come together.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masculinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masculinity. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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