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 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 Top actors preparing for challenging roles often immerse themselves in the character by adopting new accents, attitudes, and mannerisms that feel forced at first. Harrison Monarth, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 The actor mastered Charles' verbal and physical mannerisms — and played the piano and lip-synced with a fervor few actors have ever mustered. EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025 Friedrich’s mannerisms percolated into pop culture. Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mannerism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mannerism
Noun
  • This chip also drives many of the phone's artificial intelligence features, and allows the Pixel 9a to take advantage of all the same AI camera tricks introduced on the Pixel 9 smartphones in 2024.
    Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Adopting a 12-step routine full of fancy tricks and hacks simply isn’t necessary.
    Angela Haupt, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Some might consider critical thinking a trait or capacity that teachers can encourage, like creativity or grit.
    Lightning Jay, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Their goal is to build a comprehensive database that answers many questions about the behavioral and genetic traits of our friendly felines.
    Manuela López Restrepo, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • To pick some specific characteristics, no two athletes are going to have identical muscle constructions, bone densities, leg lengths, centres of gravity, tendon strength, foot-size or foot arches.
    Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Each impart different characteristics due to their distinct wood grain and chemical compositions.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The teen’s happy image, usually in a red polo shirt and carrying a backpack, is as popular in souvenir shops across town as Francis in his simple brown habit.
    Time, Time, 27 Mar. 2025
  • As global media and consumption habits evolve, the NBA wishes to capitalize on opportunities to produce games in new and unique ways, the commissioner said.
    Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • She's hosted all sorts of guests, from cartoonists studying cow quirks to TikTok influencers.
    Chrissy Suttles, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Since then, the pup has certainly developed many quirks.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Or are the effects of aerosols specific to the idiosyncrasies of lightning generation?
    Chris Wright, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
  • They were determined not to repeat those early mistakes and, above all, to build a sporting structure that did not depend on the idiosyncrasies of the coach.
    Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
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
Noun
  • For all of Bournemouth’s eccentricity, there is no unique identity that jumps off the page.
    Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • However, the large eccentricity means its orbit ranges from as far as 2 astronomical units (300 million km/186 million miles — i.e. twice the Earth–sun distance) from its star to as close as 0.75 AU (112 million km/69.7 million miles).
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mannerism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mannerism. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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