manner

1
as in etiquette
manners plural personal conduct or behavior as evaluated by an accepted standard of appropriateness for a social or professional setting the young man's impeccable manners are an unmistakable sign of a good upbringing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in mode
a distinctive way of putting ideas into words the former doctor writes his novels very much in the manner of someone who is used to observing the smallest details

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun manner contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of manner are bearing, carriage, demeanor, deportment, and mien. While all these words mean "the outward manifestation of personality or attitude," manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others.

the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders

When can bearing be used instead of manner?

The meanings of bearing and manner largely overlap; however, bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.

a woman of regal bearing

When could carriage be used to replace manner?

The words carriage and manner are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking.

the kind of carriage learned at boarding school

In what contexts can demeanor take the place of manner?

The synonyms demeanor and manner are sometimes interchangeable, but demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.

the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter

When is deportment a more appropriate choice than manner?

The words deportment and manner can be used in similar contexts, but deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.

your deportment was atrocious

Where would mien be a reasonable alternative to manner?

In some situations, the words mien and manner are roughly equivalent. However, mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor.

a mien of supreme self-satisfaction

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 manner Chim sets him straight in a slightly more aggressive manner than the situation requires, which prompts Gerrard to pull him aside. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 May 2025 Theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories (subset of larceny) – The unlawful taking of any part or accessory affixed to the interior or exterior of a motor vehicle in a manner which would make the item an attachment of the vehicle or necessary for its operation. Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025 Accompanied by a synthesized Italian voiceover, the character's name is chanted in a rhythmic nonsensical manner. Annabelle Canela, Parents, 1 May 2025 If the prices of most products rise in a meaningful manner, do not be surprised that the prices of products are far less impacted, making the value KEH delivers to consumers even more significant. Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for manner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manner
Noun
  • Today’s etiquette does require hosts to ask in advance whether their guests have eating restrictions.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Dear Life Kit is NPR's advice column, where experts answer tricky questions about relationships, social etiquette, work culture and more.
    Malaka Gharib, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Plus, the four-player local multiplayer mode failed to impress.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 1 May 2025
  • The books on this list employ both modes: Some offer intriguing glimpses into faraway places or striking journeys; others meditate on the beauty to be found in a backyard.
    Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • However, the dispute between Lage and Textor, a first of its kind, will hinge on whether such promises are enforceable.
    Matt Slater, New York Times, 2 May 2025
  • The church received a grant from the Valley Foundation to acquire the instrument, which is the only one of its kind at a South Bay venue.
    Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Suitable for all skin types, these double-sided pads act as both a hydration and brightening boost as well as a gentle method of exfoliation.
    Denise Primbet, Glamour, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The biggest retailer of them all, Amazon, still hasn't even sold a single Switch 2 console, and Nintendo's unique preorder method is still available.
    K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Supporters praise his calm demeanor, intellectual rigor, and ability to navigate complex political terrain, often describing him as a stabilizing force in the Vatican.
    Hannah Parry Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
  • Thanks to community support and Andre's sweet demeanor, the dog went home with an Atlanta family in early May.
    Michelle Boudin, People.com, 7 May 2025
Noun
  • The first thing Marathon asks players to do is choose a Runner, each with their own distinct abilities and gameplay styles.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2025
  • While wire-rim options will never go out of style, the most popular material of the moment is thick, expressive plastic.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • Insufficient research has been conducted to determine which approach is most effective.
    Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 2 May 2025
  • While a streamlined approach to the extraction shooter genre from the studio behind Halo and Destiny sounds like a recipe for casual and hardcore gamer gold, the execution leaves all the hype behind.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • The survey asked participants about their attitudes and behaviors toward cybersecurity at home and in the workplace.
    Kim Key, PC Magazine, 2 May 2025
  • Her poems of that era — sonnets, epigrams, eminently quotable snippets of rhymed gossip — pulse with the dynamism and attitude of the modern city.
    A.O. Scott, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Manner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manner. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

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