style 1 of 2

noun

ˈstī(-ə)l How to pronounce style (audio)
Definition of stylenext
1
as in mode
a distinctive way of putting ideas into words I correctly identified the quotation because I recognized Mark Twain's inimitable style

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in approach
the means or procedure for doing something unfortunately, the club president's usual style is to make decisions without asking anyone's advice or approval

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in trend
a practice or interest that is very popular for a short time parents who were very relieved when the style for having one's nose pierced faded

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

style

2 of 2

verb

as in to name
to give a name to although nowadays he's often styled a biologist, he's probably better thought of as a classic 19th-century naturalist

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word style distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of style are craze, fad, fashion, mode, rage, and vogue. While all these words mean "the usage accepted by those who want to be up-to-date," style often implies a distinctive fashion adopted by people of taste.

a media baron used to traveling in style

When might fad be a better fit than style?

While in some cases nearly identical to style, fad suggests caprice in taking up or in dropping a fashion.

last year's fad is over

When can fashion be used instead of style?

The words fashion and style are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fashion is the most general term and applies to any way of dressing, behaving, writing, or performing that is favored at any one time or place.

the current fashion

When is mode a more appropriate choice than style?

While the synonyms mode and style are close in meaning, mode suggests the fashion of the moment among those anxious to appear elegant and sophisticated.

slim bodies are the mode at this resort

How do rage and craze relate to one another, in the sense of style?

Both rage and craze stress intense enthusiasm in adopting a fad.

Cajun food was the rage nearly everywhere for a time
crossword puzzles once seemed just a passing craze but have lasted

In what contexts can vogue take the place of style?

The meanings of vogue and style largely overlap; however, vogue stresses the wide acceptance of a fashion.

short skirts are back in vogue

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 style
Noun
Its shape also functions as a Gurney flap, generating downforce while minimizing drag and eliminating the need for a large motorsport-style rear wing. — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026 Harper styled her platinum blonde hair in a sleek, straight style, showing off a pair of large hoop earrings. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
His spouse Elspeth Sampson is played by Canadian Kathleen Robertson, styled like Kyrsten Sinema, the former senator from Arizona. — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026 Rosé and Gilgeous-Alexander each were given the Loose Prep assortment and asked to style it themselves. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for style
Recent Examples of Synonyms for style
  1. mode
  2. approach
  3. trend
  4. name
  5. tone
  6. method
  7. latest
  8. label
Noun
  • His body did what it was trained to do, his mind locked into race mode.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • While the show fluidly traverses the years before and after it, dropping in on Hal and John at key moments in their lives, the investigation that puts the two men in buddy-cop mode unfolds in 2016, two decades after the William Tell scene.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of mode
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
Noun
  • Yet research carried out by The Athletic shows the trend is rapidly intensifying.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The move reflects a broader strategy by Chinese automakers to manufacture closer to African consumers rather than rely solely on imports, though the trend is just getting started.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of trend
Verb
  • James Bord, the professional poker player and owner of Scottish club Dunfermline Athletic, had initially been named the preferred bidder by administrators on Christmas Eve, only to withdraw from the process in late February.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The ladies fly off to Vegas and immediately meet a pink stretch Hummer limo and a woman named Bri from Girls Night Out Getaways.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of name
Noun
  • Really, the challenge as an actor is forgetting all the playfulness, ambition and tone around it, or even the books and the research and just playing the truth of it.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Pitch a idea for a team huddle, and let your expressive style set a cooperative tone that moves decisions forward.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of tone
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
  • The latests stats mean AI music has exploded by 650% in 16 months.
    — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The latests forecasts show a new round of storm systems will increase rain chances across much of Northern California and the Central Valley in the coming days.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of latest
Verb
  • Navalna told them that the Russian state had labelled her a terrorist.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Lawn grasses, even those labeled for shade, are usually patchy and thin in shade.
    — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of label

Phrases Containing style

Browse Nearby Words

stygian
style
styled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on style

Nglish: Translation of style for Spanish Speakers

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