mannerism

noun

ˈma-nə-ˌri-zəm How to pronounce mannerism (audio)
Definition of mannerismnext
as in trick
an odd or peculiar habit quirky mannerisms such as toying with her hair and tapping her toes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mannerism contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of mannerism are affectation, airs, air, and pose. While all these words mean "an adopted way of speaking or behaving," mannerism applies to an acquired eccentricity that has become a habit.

gesturing with a cigarette was her most noticeable mannerism

When would affectation be a good substitute for mannerism?

In some situations, the words affectation and mannerism are roughly equivalent. However, affectation applies to a trick of speech or behavior that strikes the observer as insincere.

the posh accent is an affectation

When can air be used instead of mannerism?

The words air and mannerism can be used in similar contexts, but air may suggest natural acquirement through environment or way of life.

a traveler's sophisticated air

When could airs be used to replace mannerism?

Although the words airs and mannerism have much in common, airs always implies artificiality and pretentiousness.

snobbish airs

When is pose a more appropriate choice than mannerism?

The words pose and mannerism are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pose implies an attitude deliberately assumed in order to impress others.

her shyness was just a pose

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 mannerism Those mannerisms expand here alongside Othello’s increasing jealousy as Iago’s deception begins to take hold. —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 24 Mar. 2025 The museum also highlights how Swinton was inspired by authoritarian leaders Benito Mussolini and Kim Il-sung to nail her mannerisms. —Matt Minton, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025 But there’s something about that sort of adolescent age between 12 and 14, where people’s mannerisms change, and people’s bodies change, and people’s voices change, and all of those things. —Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 20 Mar. 2025 Despite limited footage, Storm worked to nail Mortensen’s specific in-ring mannerisms. —Lauren Coates, Variety, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mannerism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mannerism
  1. trick
  2. trait
  3. characteristic
  4. habit
  5. quirk
  6. idiosyncrasy
  7. peculiarity
  8. eccentricity
Noun
  • Special content, tips, and tricks: Free digital access to the vast recipe archives of Bon Appétit and Epicurious, plus an in-depth video filmed in the test kitchen of one recipe from each box.
    — The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • But back to the task at hand: One trick to schooling yourself while keeping things fun is taking a tour — or a few of them.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of trick
Noun
  • In an era of constant change, global complexity and ever-rising expectations, trust has become the defining trait of exceptional leadership.
    — Alejandro Bravo, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Scientists create these animals by engineering DNA that matches important traits of the extinct animal into a modern animal's DNA sequence.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of trait
Noun
  • Overall, the analyst is bullish on EPD stock and views it as a core master limited partnership holding, having both offensive and defensive characteristics.
    — TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
  • These are clones of individual grape varieties that have been bred to ensure certain characteristics, such as resistance to specific diseases.
    — Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of characteristic
Noun
  • Adopt or maintain healthy habits: Stress and illness can trigger allergic asthma.
    — Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Other challenges include evolving habits and the need to bring decorative lighting back into focus, reaffirming its role in contemporary interiors.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of habit
Noun
  • Dunn told the Observer Chartwell Property Group had Plaza Midwood’s unique characteristics in mind when purchasing the property and wants to maintain those quirks.
    — Nora O’Neill, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Some quirks are here to stay Team clubhouses and batting cages for both teams are beyond the outfield wall.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of quirk
Noun
  • Japan has some idiosyncrasies about its business culture that make faxing essential, such as the use of a personal seal or hanko, which is used in place of a personal signature, as well as the high value assigned to documents.
    — Tamsin Gable, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The idiosyncrasies of English—its grammar, its concepts, its connection to Western culture—can jointly produce an arbitrary construction of reality.
    — Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of idiosyncrasy
Noun
  • Just one of the endless peculiarities that made up my dad.
    — Chris Wallace, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Advertisement In her loneliness and, paradoxically, in her peculiarity, Mickey embodies a recognizable archetype: the righteous female cop protagonist of a prestige crime drama.
    — Judy Berman, TIME, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of peculiarity
Noun
  • Lives Lived: John Peck, known as the Mad Peck, was a cultural omnivore whose work as an underground cartoonist, artist, critic and disc jockey had a dry humor and an ornate eccentricity.
    — German Lopez, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In a stroke of luck, however, the two features have aligned to create a satisfying image that is helping scientists understand the eccentricities of star formation.
    — Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of eccentricity

Browse Nearby Words

mannered
mannerism
mannerisms
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Cite this Entry

“Mannerism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mannerism. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of mannerism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mannerism

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