MASCULINITY Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

masculinity

noun

ˌma-skyə-ˈli-nə-tē

Definition of masculinity

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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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 Italian-French director Tommaso Usberti’s Before the War, a coming-of-age tale exploring contemporary masculinity, has scooped the Grand Prize at the 41st Venice International Film Critics’ Week. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026 Serious visions of masculinity seem to be somewhat in vogue, too. — T. M. Brown, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026 At best, Hombre Al Agua is a passion project in which the Mexican star dishes out some thoughts on fatherhood, masculinity and moral purpose. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2026 By the ’70s and into the ’80s, filmmakers were again taking the heist seriously, often turning the form into procedural explorations of crime, professionalism, and masculinity. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for masculinity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for masculinity

Noun

Public speech was a—if not the—defining attribute of maleness.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
The men handling their maleness was interesting.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025

Definition of maleness

Noun

While concerns regarding testosterone levels are new, anxiety about manliness is ancient, often rising with a society’s material comfort.

— Elizabeth Dray, STAT, 21 July 2026
The intoxicating pull of the manosphere – the hyper-online community led by men who tout misogynistic definitions of manliness – has given Glass a boisterous brigade of rivals.

— Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 21 June 2026

Definition of manliness

Noun

Experts believe the statue may have symbolized masculinity, virility, strength, and courage.

— Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 27 Aug. 2026
The transition from farms, the open range, and artisanal workshops to offices and large, impersonal, factories was seen as sapping virility—just as our tiny cubicles and remote workstations are said to do today.

— Michael Kimmel, Time, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of virility

Noun

Perhaps in another lifetime, or another novel, Ned would find a way to nourish these intimations of benevolence or even love, refusing to let them be spoiled by his own aspirational machismo.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
At the center of it all is an electrifying performance by Robert Pattinson as Hansen, a man who aspires to powerful anchor machismo but is slowly falling apart.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of machismo

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masculine

masculinity

mash

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“Masculinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masculinity. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of masculinity

noun

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