manner

Definition of mannernext
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 Police did not share details about the manner of the child's death. Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026 The Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the identity of the individuals and the cause and manner of their deaths, Marquez said. Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026 Not to be forgotten among the black dahlias — that grow up to five feet tall in the manner of arborescent dahlias at large — are bedding dahlias with black foliage that presents a memorable contrast to their yellow or pink blooms. Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026 Almost immediately, the twins said, coach Goodenbour's manner towards them began to shift. Julia Haney, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manner
Noun
  • In 2016, Brooks could not even conceive of the spasms and breaches of etiquette that Trumpism would produce on an almost daily basis.
    Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The bundle also includes specialty courses like ASL for babies and toddlers — helpful for early communication — along with scuba diving hand signals and an introductory e-book on the origins and etiquette of sign language.
    StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The peas lift the dish out of bland mode and into something colorful and fresh.
    Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026
  • The MorphoScan is even missing a couple of quality-of-life features present on the Etekcity scale, including a safe mode for pregnant women and pacemaker users that disables the BIA electrical current for weight-only measurements.
    Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Daisie, 14, full of laughter and positive energy, is a one-of-a-kind personality.
    The Star April 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The district is the first of its kind in the country, home to the densest enclave of Arab Americans in Orange County and more than 100 Arab and Middle East/North African businesses.
    Victoria Le, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But the revival is part of a national trend toward old-school testing methods like in-class pen-and-paper exams and oral tests to prevent AI use for assignments on laptops.
    ABC News, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Using an online filing method generally can result in fewer delays and faster confirmation.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • His smile and calm demeanor will be greatly missed.
    David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The apartments are almost exactly uniform in their square footage, in their coloring, and in their overall demeanor.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • If the creation of fiction is a layered endeavor—if premise, plot, style, and so on are to some extent separable—then must all the layers be made by the same individual?
    Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The styles have polarized lenses and feature 100% UVA/UVB protection.
    Tory Johnson, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But, by the same token, the virtues of the traditional approach, which once hardly needed to be articulated, now stand in greater relief.
    Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • In March, China passed a law that experts say cements its assimilationist approach towards its ethnic minority groups, building on years of policy changes at the provincial level in Xinjiang and elsewhere.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • And yet, my attitude was 'This is special.
    Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Nyad is an extraordinary example, but researchers say a positive attitude is key.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Manner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manner. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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