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 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 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. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2025 Despite limited footage, Storm worked to nail Mortensen’s specific in-ring mannerisms. Lauren Coates, Variety, 8 Mar. 2025 Similarities between partners can range beyond appearance to having familiar mannerisms, experiences, education, similar tastes in fashion or even daily habits. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mannerism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mannerism
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
Noun
  • Experts debated the connection, but by 2001 paleontologists uncovered early whale ankle bones that possessed traits only seen among artiodactyls.
    Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • This is highly specific work that depends on each plantation's unique characteristics, including location, soil type, and coffee variety.
    Christopher Marquis, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Both dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide, which are part of the same chemical group, have overlapping characteristics, which is why the results can’t definitively differentiate between the two molecules, but future observations might, the study authors said.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2025
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
Noun
  • Who lives and who dies depends on a slew of variable factors: Where they are tried, how skillful their attorneys are, the whims of prosecutors, quirks in the law, the dispositions of judges and jurors, and what victims want.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Here’s a quirk of the European game: Arsenal versus Real Madrid has almost no history behind it.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
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
  • In other fields, support specialists identify high-maintenance clients (for example, mechanics understand machine idiosyncrasies, and legal analysts learn which regulations require extra scrutiny).
    Rajesh Rajagopalan, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This Texas peculiarity is especially confounding to Democratic legislators in Sacramento and Springfield, who would never dream of allowing Republicans to do likewise in California and Illinois, states where Democrats have legislative supermajorities like the GOP does in Texas.
    Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
  • But that’s a decline with some peculiarities.
    Evan Clark, WWD, 6 Jan. 2025
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

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Cite this Entry

“Mannerism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mannerism. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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