Synonyms of mien

mien

noun

ˈmēn 

as in look

the outward form of someone or something especially as indicative of a quality

the friendly mien of the librarian suggested that she was willing to offer any needed help

Synonyms & Similar Words

• look
• demeanor
• presence
• attitude
• manner
• appearance
• garb
• aspect
• dress
• posture
• outside
• regard
• person
• behavior
• stance
• cut of one's jib
• figure
• deportment
• poise
• air
• shape
• pose
• bearing
• comportment
• visage
• face
• carriage
• countenance
• complexion
• mold
• physiognomy
• features
• coloring
• color
• cast
• turn
• habitus
• habit
• superficies

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mien contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of mien are bearing, carriage, demeanor, deportment, and manner. While all these words mean "the outward manifestation of personality or attitude," mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor.

a mien of supreme self-satisfaction

When is it sensible to use bearing instead of mien?

In some situations, the words bearing and mien are roughly equivalent. However, bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.

a woman of regal bearing

Where would carriage be a reasonable alternative to mien?

While in some cases nearly identical to mien, carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking.

the kind of carriage learned at boarding school

When can demeanor be used instead of mien?

The words demeanor and mien can be used in similar contexts, but demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.

the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter

When could deportment be used to replace mien?

Although the words deportment and mien have much in common, deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.

your deportment was atrocious

When would manner be a good substitute for mien?

While the synonyms manner and mien are close in meaning, manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others.

the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of mien

Possessing a round and pleasant face, Kinnear does not, at first glance, seem the obvious next initiate into a society that favors the more chiseled mien. —Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024

That impulse to impute something more behind the blank mien of a doll has come to fascinate her on a philosophical level. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 June 2024

Unlike Rhoades, a vituperative colossus, however, Williams brings a steely determination and a Joe Friday, just-the-facts mien to his lawyering in the court of public opinion. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024

Adapted from Patricia Highsmith’s classic novel The Talented Mr. Ripley, the film sees the then 25-year-old actor metamorphose into a high-flying and seductive swindler with impeccable style and an impenetrable mien. —Adam Sanchez, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2024

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!