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
Beta masculinity obviously wasn’t widely accepted in the early 2000s.
—
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 25 Feb. 2026
The horror films that stay with me are the ones that feel personal first and supernatural second, and this movie blends pulpy genre thrills with a story about masculinity and power.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
There is more compulsory masculinity, less faggotry.
—E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
This is not just awareness-raising, but an attempt to redefine masculinity as less stoic, more self-aware, and more human.
—Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for masculinity
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 25 Feb. 2026
The horror films that stay with me are the ones that feel personal first and supernatural second, and this movie blends pulpy genre thrills with a story about masculinity and power.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
There is more compulsory masculinity, less faggotry.
—E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
This is not just awareness-raising, but an attempt to redefine masculinity as less stoic, more self-aware, and more human.
—Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 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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In 1848, a popular uprising in France overthrew the monarchy, demanding universal manhood suffrage and wealth redistribution.—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
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But just as the culture’s understanding of manhood has shifted, so too have ideas about womanhood—which of course influences the way young women see themselves.—
Faith Hill,
The Atlantic,
23 Feb. 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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And the working women clearly recognize the virility of him.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
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Red meat has long been associated with virility, masculinity and the national identity of America, Wright said.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The origins of literary machismo run back much further.—
John Semley,
Wired News,
30 Jan. 2026
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This is Whitney and Henry’s bespoke, millennial, start-up-infused version of modern machismo, which German will hopefully soon provide a word for.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masculinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masculinity. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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