mien

noun

ˈmēn How to pronounce mien (audio)
Definition of miennext
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

Relevance

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 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 See All Example Sentences for mien
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mien
  1. look
  2. demeanor
  3. presence
  4. attitude
  5. manner
  6. appearance
Noun
  • Here’s a look at 23andMe’s rise and fall in four charts.
    — Rosa de Acosta, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Tall, with classic good looks and romantic style, Chamberlain became an instant favorite with teenage girls as the compassionate physician on the TV series that aired from 1961 to 1966.
    — Bob Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of look
Noun
  • In the quiet corridors of Berkshire Hathaway’s modest headquarters in Omaha, the Oracle himself shared his thoughts about the latest economic saber-rattling with the calm demeanor that has guided investors through countless storms.
    — Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Virgos are known for their rational and even-keeled demeanor.
    — Lisa Stardust, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of demeanor
Noun
  • The back plate can help give any simple style a bit more presence and interest.
    — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The former Michigan standout would be a big presence on Green Bay’s defensive line. 24).
    — Fox News Staff, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of presence
Noun
  • Like a lot of that stuff increases your overall perspective on life and your attitude and stuff.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Use this insider knowledge to your advantage.) Come to the table with the attitude of creating a win-win scenario for yourself and the seller.
    — Ryan Serhant, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of attitude
Noun
  • The family of a woman who was strangled to death last year during a conjugal visit with her husband at a Northern California prison has called for reforms after a second woman was killed in a similar manner.
    — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Economists say the size and manner in which the tariffs are being handled were detrimental to economic growth.
    — Lucia Mutikani, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of manner
Noun
  • Since early February, artists and performers including Lin-Manuel Miranda and Issa Rae pulled out of scheduled appearances at the prestigious venue in the wake of Trump‘s cultural power grab.
    — Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025
  • In her return to Mexico City, following her appearance at the previous edition of the Corona Capital festival, Annie Clark (her real name) was joined by Nine Inch Nails drummer Ilan Rubin as part of her band.
    — Natalia Cano, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of appearance

Browse Nearby Words

midyears
mien
miens
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Mien.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mien. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on mien

Nglish: Translation of mien for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mien

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms
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 Word Game 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?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All