manliness

noun

ˈman-lē-nəs How to pronounce manliness (audio)
Definition of manlinessnext
as in masculinity
the set of qualities traditionally considered appropriate for or characteristic of men studio executives wondered if the actor possessed the manliness expected in an action hero

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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 manliness Today’s Republican Party is big on manliness and masculine virtues. — Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 20 Nov. 2025 Being the naive newbie in Idaho does suit Cale, with his British lilt and fey enthusiasm for the manliness of the West. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025 Studying Latin taught me that contemporary anxieties about manliness and cosmopolitanism date back thousands of years. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025 But just like the men who understood changing a diaper in the 1990s didn't take away their manliness, so can participating in their spouse's emotional needs. — Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for manliness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manliness
masculinity
Noun
  • Some people may correlate high testosterone with more masculinity—bigger muscles and things like that.
    — Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Experts say the situation is highlighting a bigger issue at hand than testosterone deficiency − an obsession with and major misunderstanding about masculinity.
    — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of masculinity

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manlike
manliness
manly
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Cite this Entry

“Manliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manliness. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on manliness

Nglish: Translation of manliness for Spanish Speakers

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