mien

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

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 mien His nasal Midwestern cadence, earnest mien, and silver pompadour were as recognizable as Alfred Hitchcock’s voice, chins, and silhouette. Barry Blitt, airmail.news, 18 Jan. 2025 Colvin, a sinewy former high-school wrestler whose rounded silver eyeglasses give him a scholarly mien, was plenty intrigued. Brendan I. Koerner, WIRED, 13 Jan. 2025 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 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 See All Example Sentences for mien
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mien
Noun
  • Drinking more water really is key to glowing skin, an extra few hours of sleep does more… Accessorize Pearl Jam Pearls are back, as one look at the Paris runways will attest.
    Michael Odell, Air Mail, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Sometimes a team’s cold demeanor is not personal but rather a reflection of an overall atmosphere of stress or miscommunication that affects everyone.
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Just as importantly, Brivio says, Ogura’s apparent calm demeanor turned out to be a genuine cornerstone of his personality.
    Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Unlike earlier platforms reportedly deployed and later removed following protests from Seoul last year, China is doubling down on the presence of its latest jackup rig, named for three long legs that can be lowered to the sea floor for stabilization.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Jordan brings them both to distinctive life with his powerful presence and a virtuosity that wears its effort lightly.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But the pooch's positive attitude and adaptability to his wheelchair changed everything.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The new information highlights Google’s attitudes towards those who choose the regular model and those who go Pro.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Only a few of the artists attempt to perform the songs in the uniquely laidback manner in which Velvet originally did them.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025
  • The fight essentially played out in that manner.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In her four seasons playing at UConn, Bueckers took the Huskies to four Final Fours, two National Championship game appearances and eight BIG EAST titles.
    Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Down the hall in her daughters’ shared space, her Duomo and Lottie prints make appearances on the end-of-bed ottomans and bed skirts.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mien.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mien. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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