demeanor

noun

di-ˈmē-nər How to pronounce demeanor (audio)
Definition of demeanornext
as in behavior
the way or manner in which one conducts oneself her warm demeanor made us feel at home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun demeanor contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of demeanor are bearing, carriage, deportment, manner, and mien. While all these words mean "the outward manifestation of personality or attitude," demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.

the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter

Where would bearing be a reasonable alternative to demeanor?

The words bearing and demeanor can be used in similar contexts, but bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.

a woman of regal bearing

When is it sensible to use carriage instead of demeanor?

Although the words carriage and demeanor have much in common, carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking.

the kind of carriage learned at boarding school

When would deportment be a good substitute for demeanor?

While in some cases nearly identical to demeanor, deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.

your deportment was atrocious

When could manner be used to replace demeanor?

While the synonyms manner and demeanor 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

When can mien be used instead of demeanor?

The meanings of mien and demeanor largely overlap; however, mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor.

a mien of supreme self-satisfaction

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 demeanor Were tactical arrangements sufficient without symbolic signaling, police training would not need to be so heady, their demeanor so heavy. — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026 Rather’s style and demeanor were noticeably different from Cronkite’s reassuring cadence. — Walter Podrazik, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026 First Deputy Superintendent Antoinette Ursitti possesses the knowledge, skills, ability, demeanor and experience to thrive in the top position. — Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026 While the numbers, or lack thereof in this case, speak for themselves, Harrison's demeanor and energy levels have also been noticeable over two weeks, and not in a good way. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for demeanor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demeanor
  1. behavior
  2. actions
  3. attitude
Noun
  • The agents seized records and electronic devices, looking for evidence of unspecified criminal behavior.
    — Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Small shifts in daily behavior have a multiplicative impact on culture and employee motivation and, as a result, on value creation.
    — Deborah Lovich, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of behavior
Noun
  • Three outside law professors who reviewed the materials at the request of The Post said West Point's actions appear to violate the order issued by Judge Cathy Seibel in September that ended a lawsuit filed by a civilian professor at the academy.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Behind the scenes, Muse uses a collection of digital notes and instructions to guide its personality, actions and memory, all of which can be reviewed, edited and deleted.
    — Marty Swant, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of actions
Noun
  • Above 5%, however, attitudes began to shift and yields suddenly starting looking like an attractive entry point, compensating even for the risk of inflation above 3%.
    — Fred Imbert,Sean Conlon,Hugh Leask, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The underlying racial attitudes have persisted, Chapel said, contributing to present-day inequalities such as Black infant mortality.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of attitude

Browse Nearby Words

demeaning
demeanor
demeanors
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Demeanor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demeanor. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All