mannerism

noun

ˈma-nə-ˌri-zəm How to pronounce mannerism (audio)
Definition of mannerismnext
as in trick
an odd or peculiar habit quirky mannerisms such as toying with her hair and tapping her toes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mannerism contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of mannerism are affectation, airs, air, and pose. While all these words mean "an adopted way of speaking or behaving," mannerism applies to an acquired eccentricity that has become a habit.

gesturing with a cigarette was her most noticeable mannerism

When would affectation be a good substitute for mannerism?

In some situations, the words affectation and mannerism are roughly equivalent. However, affectation applies to a trick of speech or behavior that strikes the observer as insincere.

the posh accent is an affectation

When can air be used instead of mannerism?

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

a traveler's sophisticated air

When could airs be used to replace mannerism?

Although the words airs and mannerism have much in common, airs always implies artificiality and pretentiousness.

snobbish airs

When is pose a more appropriate choice than mannerism?

The words pose and mannerism are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pose implies an attitude deliberately assumed in order to impress others.

her shyness was just a pose

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 mannerism After embodying him for the screen and seeing his ways, seeing his mannerisms, seeing his objective within this fictional world, what does Gathegi feel that Mister Terrific needs to hear? —Jeff Conway, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025 Lynn's mannerisms really matched up wonderfully with Geena. —Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 1 July 2025 His appearance and mannerisms remain constant over the decades, while historical events—the Prague Spring, the Vietnam War—sweep on. —Rav Grewal-Kök june 16, Literary Hub, 16 June 2025 Thames was a great choice for Hiccup, capturing the original character’s mannerisms and voice perfectly, though perhaps – as my daughter noted – with a little less squeakiness. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for mannerism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mannerism
  1. trick
  2. trait
  3. characteristic
  4. habit
  5. quirk
  6. idiosyncrasy
  7. peculiarity
  8. eccentricity
Noun
  • From fashion tips and tricks to tween and teen hair and nails, our back-to-school style guide has a little bit of everything.
    — Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 29 July 2025
  • So begins a scrappy come-up story, about older dogs learning new tricks to revitalize a dying print industry.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 28 July 2025
Definition of trick
Noun
  • Her signature ultra-thin, arched eyebrows, a style trait belonging to her renowned ’90s aesthetic, were kept intact, while her lips glowed as if they’d been coated in a thin layer of chapstick.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 29 July 2025
  • Best traits: Freaky physical traits Styles is built differently.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 29 July 2025
Definition of trait
Noun
  • Sometimes an offense takes on the characteristics of its most distinguishable member - only the Brewers have a lower team average exit speed than the Padres, and only a handful of clubs hit more line drives, as the club mimics the tendencies of Luis Arraez.
    — Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • Felix Brill, chief investment officer at VP Bank, agrees that the SGD has many characteristics of a modern safe haven, including macroeconomic stability, strong institutions, a large current account surplus, and low political risk.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 21 July 2025
Definition of characteristic
Noun
  • The United States has tried repeatedly to wean itself off immigrant employment, but cheap labor is a tough habit to kick.
    — Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 26 July 2025
  • This formula/habit/trend does not typically occur across the pond, so shortening 'Edgware Road' to 'Edgware,' does pose an issue.
    — Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Definition of habit
Noun
  • This refreshingly smooth and complex lager is enhanced with a crisp, coastal quirk.
    — Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 18 July 2025
  • Newer quirks have vexed Jeffrey Meli, now a clinical professor of finance at NYU’s Stern School of Business, who left the banking group Barclays after twenty years to study how reforms have distributed risk across the financial system.
    — Mary Childs, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
Definition of quirk
Noun
  • The exciting fossil first is also full of idiosyncrasies.
    — Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 16 July 2025
  • Whereas Zev might use Jess’s attachment to her phone as an opportunity to tear her down, Felix gives her enough grace to see her idiosyncrasies as no better or worse than anyone else’s.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 July 2025
Definition of idiosyncrasy
Noun
  • There are some historical peculiarities that even patient scholarship cannot fully explain.
    — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
  • The artist continues to interrogate the interplay between image and text in culture today –– illustrating the persistent dominance of advertising, as well as the peculiarities of newer phenomena, such as memes.
    — Megan Williams, CNN Money, 18 July 2025
Definition of peculiarity
Noun
  • But that’s about the extent of the debate, as few would be able to discern any noticeable eccentricities or downsides to the hybrid system from the driver’s seat.
    — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • According to the researchers, Mars' significant orbital eccentricity, or deviation from a perfect circle, causes the atmosphere in the southern summer to circulate more energetically, creating conditions ideal for vortex formation.
    — Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 16 July 2025
Definition of eccentricity

Browse Nearby Words

mannered
mannerism
mannerisms
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mannerism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mannerism. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on mannerism

Nglish: Translation of mannerism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mannerism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
iykyk if you know you know slang written in a neon
Quiz: Abbreviation Station TFW you have to figure out what 15 abbreviations ...
See All