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
Noun
  • Available for purchase separately or in a duo with the lip liner, the new Shade Slick Sheens include four shimmery shades that work effortlessly with the liners for a juicy lip look.
    Claire Sullivan, WWD, 18 Mar. 2025
  • She is known for bold eye aesthetics which ease dramatic pigment into cohesive, statement-making looks.
    Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In these instances, the comedy came from the contrast in their appearance and demeanor after the day's festivities.
    William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
  • When Tosh appeared in Craighead County Municipal Court on Thursday night, her demeanor was quite different after she was convicted of drunken driving.
    The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Those traveling to front line regions or Ukraine's border with Belarus may be exposed to Russian and Belarusian military and security presence, active ground combat, frequent shelling, missile and drone attacks, and limitations on the Embassy's ability to provide assistance.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
  • This island leans more rural, with a heavy agriculture presence and a few bonafide seafood shacks.
    Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • But the attitude of our coaches was, ‘Again, again — next goal, next goal’.
    Daniel Taylor, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • How an Overly Sunny Demeanor Could Affect You Of course, if your exclusively positive attitude is rubbing others the wrong way, that doesn’t bode well for your relationships.
    Cathy Cassata, Health, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • His manner with the girl is more bemused, placating.
    Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
  • One of the biggest mysteries in the cryptoasset sector is, despite the rapid and comprehensive pivot of U.S. policymakers to one of a pro-crypto outlook, why cryptoasset prices have yet to respond decisively and in a sustained manner.
    Sean Stein Smith, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Dogs will usually show symptoms four to six days after being exposed, however the appearance of symptoms can range from three days to two weeks, according to HSHC.
    Allana Haynes, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The list of players who have gotten a lower contact rate on swing in the zone contains five closers with 17 All-Star appearances among them.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mien.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mien. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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