MANNERISM Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

mannerism

noun

ˈma-nə-ˌri-zəm

Definition of mannerism next

as in trick

an odd or peculiar habit quirky mannerisms such as toying with her hair and tapping her toes

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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

Examples 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 Moore’s frustrated mannerisms drew widespread scrutiny, with outsiders wondering if the wide receiver’s patience with his quarterback was running thin. —

Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 26 Oct. 2024 The video appears to be showing the absent candidate in real-time, speaking with lips moving and their head bobbing, modeled on the same mannerisms of the actual candidate. —

Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024 Kolodny has rounded up an extraordinarily committed cast of actors, whose mannerisms and inflections are sharpened and roughened, tuned and inflected to feel like archeological rediscoveries of behaviors past. —

Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2024 As mentioned earlier, this swerve into weirdness is one of the film’s less effective mannerisms. —

Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mannerism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mannerism

Noun

But note the fun trick of resizing or even rotating the cloned objects: People Beautifier PhotoDirector's People Beautifier tool has four subsets: Face Tools, Face Deblur, Body Shaper, and Skin Smoother.

PCMAG, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
For example, have the dog chase a ball or do a trick and reward the behaviors.

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024