masculinity

noun

ˌma-skyə-ˈli-nə-tē How to pronounce masculinity (audio)
Definition of masculinitynext
as in maleness
the set of qualities considered appropriate for or characteristic of men some men believe that wearing pink would undermine their masculinity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 masculinity The story centers on an authoritarian father and his two sons on vacation following a difficult separation and explores themes of power, masculinity and patriarchy. — Ed Meza, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026 Given that it’s been 22 years since the launch of Armani Code, the brand’s beauty team started the process by reexamining masculinity. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2026 Advertisement The original Ted Lasso was a show about masculinity. — Judy Berman, Time, 5 Aug. 2026 Nothing is the epitome of cinematic achievement, alpha masculinity, and Britishness. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for masculinity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masculinity
  1. maleness
  2. manhood
  3. manliness
  4. virility
  5. machismo
Noun
  • Public speech was a—if not the—defining attribute of maleness.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
  • The men handling their maleness was interesting.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Definition of maleness
Noun
  • Parker is perpetually just on the verge of manhood — youthful, optimistic, with a somewhat innocent boyish sense of romance.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026
  • Adam Stanaland, a psychology professor at the University of Richmond, told me that what’s concerning is when insecure men feel pressured to validate their manhood by harming others.
    — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
Definition of manhood
Noun
  • While concerns regarding testosterone levels are new, anxiety about manliness is ancient, often rising with a society’s material comfort.
    — Elizabeth Dray, STAT, 21 July 2026
  • The intoxicating pull of the manosphere – the hyper-online community led by men who tout misogynistic definitions of manliness – has given Glass a boisterous brigade of rivals.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
Definition of manliness
Noun
  • The Emmy nomination comes after the series’ 10th season, which took off in ratings and virility following a much-talked about relationship scandal.
    — McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
  • This can fuel a return to regressive ideals of masculinity and virility.
    — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 6 July 2026
Definition of virility
Noun
  • Not That Kind of Man Both parties are focused on machismo at the moment.
    — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
  • In a country built on perpetual grind (westward expansion, the machismo of the highway), the motorcycle distills that promise to its essence.
    — Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
Definition of machismo

Browse Nearby Words

masculine
masculinity
mash
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Masculinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masculinity. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on masculinity

Nglish: Translation of masculinity for Spanish Speakers

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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of zeugma

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
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?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All