pose 1 of 3

Definition of posenext

pose

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verb (2)

pose

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun pose contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pose are affectation, airs, air, and mannerism. While all these words mean "an adopted way of speaking or behaving," pose implies an attitude deliberately assumed in order to impress others.

her shyness was just a pose

When might affectation be a better fit than pose?

Although the words affectation and pose have much in common, affectation applies to a trick of speech or behavior that strikes the observer as insincere.

the posh accent is an affectation

When could air be used to replace pose?

The words air and pose can be used in similar contexts, but air may suggest natural acquirement through environment or way of life.

a traveler's sophisticated air

In what contexts can airs take the place of pose?

In some situations, the words airs and pose are roughly equivalent. However, airs always implies artificiality and pretentiousness.

snobbish airs

Where would mannerism be a reasonable alternative to pose?

While in some cases nearly identical to pose, mannerism applies to an acquired eccentricity that has become a habit.

gesturing with a cigarette was her most noticeable mannerism

How does the noun pose contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pose are affectation, airs, air, and mannerism. While all these words mean "an adopted way of speaking or behaving," pose implies an attitude deliberately assumed in order to impress others.

her shyness was just a pose

When might affectation be a better fit than pose?

Although the words affectation and pose have much in common, affectation applies to a trick of speech or behavior that strikes the observer as insincere.

the posh accent is an affectation

When could air be used to replace pose?

The words air and pose can be used in similar contexts, but air may suggest natural acquirement through environment or way of life.

a traveler's sophisticated air

In what contexts can airs take the place of pose?

In some situations, the words airs and pose are roughly equivalent. However, airs always implies artificiality and pretentiousness.

snobbish airs

Where would mannerism be a reasonable alternative to pose?

While in some cases nearly identical to pose, mannerism applies to an acquired eccentricity that has become a habit.

gesturing with a cigarette was her most noticeable mannerism

How does the noun pose contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pose are affectation, airs, air, and mannerism. While all these words mean "an adopted way of speaking or behaving," pose implies an attitude deliberately assumed in order to impress others.

her shyness was just a pose

When might affectation be a better fit than pose?

Although the words affectation and pose have much in common, affectation applies to a trick of speech or behavior that strikes the observer as insincere.

the posh accent is an affectation

When could air be used to replace pose?

The words air and pose can be used in similar contexts, but air may suggest natural acquirement through environment or way of life.

a traveler's sophisticated air

In what contexts can airs take the place of pose?

In some situations, the words airs and pose are roughly equivalent. However, airs always implies artificiality and pretentiousness.

snobbish airs

Where would mannerism be a reasonable alternative to pose?

While in some cases nearly identical to pose, mannerism applies to an acquired eccentricity that has become a habit.

gesturing with a cigarette was her most noticeable mannerism

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 pose
Verb
Unfurling her wings for the first time and activating them under the weight of her armature seems to pose a challenge. María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026 Oil prices have surged this month, raising concerns about energy inflation, clouding the outlook for central banks and posing headwinds for stocks. John Towfighi, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
Whether stealing a kiss, striking a pose, or simply flashing a smile, nothing signifies a successful soiree quite like a collection of lasting memories, spontaneously snapped from within the VF photo booth. Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 16 Mar. 2026 Many new startups have begun building custom hardware -- cameras and bodysuits -- to capture nuances of human movement, pressure, depth of touch and human pose reconstruction for their datasets. Nilesh Christopher Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pose
Noun
  • Swift was photographed solo on the red carpet and with a group of iHeartRadio execs before the show at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Fan Fest continues through the weekend, with a drone show and music festival planned for Friday.
    Kenny Choi, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Don’t mistake the play’s opening facade for what is in fact an intricate and multi-layered performance work.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Behind this façade, a sandy path leads to a dense network of row houses.
    Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The Department of the Treasury last Thursday designated Hayat Yolu as a key player in a covert global network that uses the guise of humanitarian aid to raise money overseas.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
  • But sometimes the squashing of speech can appear in other guises.
    Andrea Valdez, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Maybe the pretense was comforting to him, too.
    Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
  • As architectural fashion has shifted, the software is no longer associated with complex geometry, and the pretense that digital tools might liberate architects—spurring them to new heights of creativity—has faded.
    Julian Rose, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Alongside the conference programme, the SXSW London Music Festival will showcase more than 200 artists, spanning emerging voices and established acts such as Tiwa Savage, ODUMODUBLVCK, Rachel Chinouriri and Circa Waves.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The amphitheater, where bandleader Cesar LaMonaca led an orchestra under the moonlight for nearly 50 years, was gone, eventually replaced and moved a bit north and booked with acts of the day.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pose. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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