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 The most important job of the General Assembly is to adopt a state budget, in a timely manner, that meets the moment and invests in the future. — Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026 Fort Worth parents of special education students are accusing Fort Worth ISD of breaking state and federal law by failing to provide services to students in a timely manner. — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026 Parolin addressed Leo's surgery early Tuesday, expressing concern, while praising Pope Leo’s calm manner. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 14 Oct. 2026 The problem isn’t so much a question of bad manners or even of corruption. — Robert A. Ballingall, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manner
Noun
  • And there would have been girls rebelling against social etiquette back then, like, there would now.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Now the older generation is scolding workers for having a different view on interview etiquette without recognizing the cold reality of today’s job market.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • And the mode shapes of the fundamental frequency closely matched those of typical Western church bells.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Mixing different optics and filters in twin-scope mode isn't possible yet.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The latest salvo is a two-week ad campaign launching Thursday in the Atlanta and Macon markets, the first broadcast buy of its kind for the caucus.
    — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Non-essential workers—executives, administrators, management of all kinds—disappeared into Zoom en masse across the country.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Google and Microsoft followed suit soon after, further propelling the log-in method into the mainstream consciousness.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But the resemblance between the two groups’ methods now seems merely skin-deep.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • But Ditka's hard-nosed, no-nonsense demeanor only further endeared him to Chicago fans.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The pandemic was a turning point in Selena’s life and demeanor.
    — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The protests erupted after nearly a decade of Macronisme, the right-of-center, top-down governing style that President Emmanuel Macron of France incarnates.
    — Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • For the new movie, ILM preserved their recognizable silhouettes while inventing more realistic anatomy, movement and fighting styles.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Sarah sorts and starts the laundry in the building’s basement laundry room.
    — Anne Kadet, Curbed, 14 Oct. 2026
  • To date, Putin has rejected calls for restrictions on aerial strikes of any sort.
    — Eric Ciaramella, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Such approaches, known as adoptive cell therapies, are already being investigated for other cancers.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Boston Dynamics’ approach focuses on improving the connection between engineering and manufacturing, with faster component production and assembly intended to support more rapid development.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Manner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manner. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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