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
For Oakley, being a drag king is about challenging masculinity rather than impersonating someone, which is what older male impersonators have traditionally done.
—
Nicole MacIas Garibay, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
This generation of young men seems to be searching for the same things in their lives underneath the surface of the masculinity debate.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
That’s an angle that’s not necessarily specifically to do with the manosphere or masculinity, but beyond that, deeper than that, the need to connect with each other.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2026
There's an effort in Brooklyn aiming to redefine masculinity, using vulnerability, therapy and brotherhood to reach young men of color through structured emotional support and creative expression.
—Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for masculinity
Nicole MacIas Garibay, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
This generation of young men seems to be searching for the same things in their lives underneath the surface of the masculinity debate.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
That’s an angle that’s not necessarily specifically to do with the manosphere or masculinity, but beyond that, deeper than that, the need to connect with each other.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2026
There's an effort in Brooklyn aiming to redefine masculinity, using vulnerability, therapy and brotherhood to reach young men of color through structured emotional support and creative expression.
—Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 24 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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Watkins, founder of the YBMen Project which provides young Black men with a safe place to discuss their mental health, manhood and social support, said studies show that 10% of Black adults experience moderate to severe depression, while 18% experience anxiety disorders.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
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Three refractions of broken American manhood in the modern age.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
13 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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Yulieth, on the cusp of adolescence, faces the difficulties of growing up in a wild territory where natural beauty coexists with the hostility of machismo.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
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Bernthal, who plays Sonny, has his own wayward machismo and hapless sensitivity, the very qualities that made Al Pacino unforgettable in the role of the bungling bandit with a Catholic conscience.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masculinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masculinity. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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