manner

noun

ˈma-nər How to pronounce manner (audio)
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
3
as in kind
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common fish and all manner of sea life on view at the aquarium

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in method
the means or procedure for doing something you happened to reach the correct answer, but the manner by which you solved the problem was all wrong

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 According to the medical examiner, the cause and manner of death of all three victims has not yet been determined. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026 In my experience, students often do not respond at all, let alone in a timely manner. — Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026 Bennie Liebenberg, a former geologist at the mine who was serving as our guide, has the plodding, slightly wide-eyed manner of someone who has spent a lot of time underground. — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026 Offering up solutions in this manner demonstrates ownership and accountability while showing your value as a problem-solver. — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manner
  1. etiquette
  2. mode
  3. kind
  4. method
  5. demeanor
  6. style
  7. sort
  8. approach
Noun
  • Not just a student problem Lapses in email etiquette are not limited to exchanges between faculty and students.
    — Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Industry leaders advocate for broad consumer choice, emphasizing public etiquette and regulated consumption sites.
    — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of etiquette
Noun
  • BitOK puts the drop in median time from submission to freeze at 44% on Ethereum and 23% on Tron, and found a same-block urgent mode used in about one case in six.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Things get increasingly bleak, as the family dog’s heart medicine runs out and Jason has to put him out of his misery, and then — in doomsday prepper mode — carves up the body and puts it in the freezer just in case food gets dire.
    — William Earl, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of mode
Noun
  • Invasive species of all kinds are already costing the global economy more than $423 billion annually.
    — Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In his first earnings call as CEO earlier this month, D’Amaro did speak on the possibility of introducing a free streaming offering of some kind.
    — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of kind
Noun
  • The last scientific study of state’s bear population was conducted by researchers from the University of Connecticut between 2013 and 2014, using similar methods.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
  • There was Adriana de Moura’s method in the Hamptons, which entailed getting naked in a bathtub to mark her territory.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of method
Noun
  • Gage’s bullpen session was especially encouraging because of his demeanor at the time of his injury.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Wyck may be the voice of reason, but that voice is off-putting and his demeanor gruff.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of demeanor
Noun
  • At club level, Paris Saint-Germain became back-to-back Champions League winners in May, thanks to Spanish coach Luis Enrique’s fluid attacking style, packed with rotations and a cohesive network of players.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Channel Aniston’s effortlessly elegant style with the European Linen Scoop-Neck Midi Dress.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of style
Noun
  • Despite trying to break glass, rip through the foundation, and forcibly remove the door, something of the supernatural or at least thoroughly inhuman sort is keeping them inside.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
  • All vendors at the event were required to hand out school supplies of some sort, Hobart Police Chief Garrett Ciszewski said.
    — Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of sort
Noun
  • Bessent described a two-pronged approach featuring financial pressure and a physical blockade of Islamic republic's ports.
    — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In a special Open Thoughts podcast held in Korea, where YoungBoy now lives, host Funny Marco (known for his deadpan approach) asked if there was ever a time during his early performances that the artist felt like pulling back.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of approach

Browse Nearby Words

mannequins
manner
mannered
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Cite this Entry

“Manner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manner. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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