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
  • The brand also custom-made several looks for Beyoncé’s 13-minute Netflix’s NFL Christmas Day halftime show.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • The Five-Star Weekend centers on Hollis Shaw (Garner), a famed food influencer known for her delicious recipes, impeccable taste, and warm demeanor, who suffers a devastating loss.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 June 2025
  • Her demeanor is in line with the Earth sign, which often takes a sarcastic and direct approach to handling matters.
    Lisa Stardust, People.com, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • Despite the controversy over the presence of federal troops, almost all of the incidents cited by press rights advocates have involved Los Angeles law enforcement.
    David Folkenflik, NPR, 16 June 2025
  • Despite the presence of a legitimate blues superstar on the bill, the festival still had plenty of its regular mellow, low-key charm, as people sat on blankets and beach chairs and chatted with each other between bites of barbecue and burritos.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 16 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
  • Vance, who collaborated with Hughes on four films, decided Bueller’s costume should defy mainstream ‘80s fashion to reflect his rebellious attitude.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • Patching and firmware updates must be applied in a timely manner.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • Not in 2000, when the Pacers made their only other finals appearance, and as luck would have it, happened to run into the blossoming Los Angeles Lakers dynasty led by two Hall of Famers, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, at the peak of their powers.
    Zak Keefer, New York Times, 14 June 2025
  • Over a seven-year career, Civale has made 122 appearances—all as a starting pitcher—with a 4.06 ERA.
    Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mien.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mien. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.

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