mien

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mien contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of mien are bearing, carriage, demeanor, deportment, and manner. While all these words mean "the outward manifestation of personality or attitude," mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor.

a mien of supreme self-satisfaction

When is it sensible to use bearing instead of mien?

In some situations, the words bearing and mien are roughly equivalent. However, bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.

a woman of regal bearing

Where would carriage be a reasonable alternative to mien?

While in some cases nearly identical to mien, carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking.

the kind of carriage learned at boarding school

When can demeanor be used instead of mien?

The words demeanor and mien can be used in similar contexts, but demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.

the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter

When could deportment be used to replace mien?

Although the words deportment and mien have much in common, deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.

your deportment was atrocious

When would manner be a good substitute for mien?

While the synonyms manner and mien are close in meaning, manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others.

the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders

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 mien Perhaps Dylan’s hamburger waiter mien can be attributed to his lack of connection to something greater than himself. Samantha Allen, Them, 25 Feb. 2025 Bostwick grew up in Wyoming and cultivated a down-to-earth mien. Katie Roiphe Samantha Desz Krish Seenivasan Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025 His nasal Midwestern cadence, earnest mien, and silver pompadour were as recognizable as Alfred Hitchcock’s voice, chins, and silhouette. Barry Blitt, airmail.news, 18 Jan. 2025 Colvin, a sinewy former high-school wrestler whose rounded silver eyeglasses give him a scholarly mien, was plenty intrigued. Brendan I. Koerner, WIRED, 13 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mien
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mien
Noun
  • Bono is one of the most immediately recognizable rock stars on the planet, thanks to his signature look, which has included shades for decades, but he’s known almost entirely for his musical endeavors with his groupmates in U2.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Host Cynthia Erivo was perhaps my favorite look of the evening: a Schiaparelli ensemble.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • The outburst caused a stunned reaction from the commentators with Carlsen usually known for his calm demeanor.
    Ben Morse, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
  • To date, more than 11,000 TikTok users have commented on the post, with many voicing their comedic takes on the viral moment and the cat's obliging demeanor.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • Construction management requires on-site presence, real-time decision-making, and complex coordination between multiple trades and stakeholders.
    Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • The presence of the Truxtun complicates any potential Houthi attempts to target non-U. S. ships within the carrier strike group, the specialist outlet The Maritime Executive said.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • Fermin is an example to any budding professional for his work ethic and humble attitude.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • China’s use of economic coercion against South Korea has fueled such anti-Beijing attitudes in recent years.
    Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • An etiquette expert and the author of a new book about manners is causing plenty of online chatter about the proper way to eat a banana and other common handheld foods.
    Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2025
  • Investigators have not yet publicly released a positive identification or details regarding the cause or manner of death.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • Shinoda later spoke about about Bennington’s death and what it’s been like to perform with Linkin Park without him during an appearance on The Tonight Show.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2025
  • Mississippi State was making its 41st appearance in the tournament.
    Compiled From Wire Reports, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mien.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mien. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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