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

Examples 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 And deservedly so: With so much going on under Shin-ae’s surface, the audience relies on Do-Yeon’s shifting mien to show us that even in the wake of unbearable tragedy, a range of feeling and human experience endures. Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2024 Come the crash of 2008, David’s leisure-world empire collapses, and Abraham’s patriarchal mien and tolerance turn to crabby solitude with the prospect of unloading their dream for pennies on the dollar. Gordon Cox, Variety, 2 Aug. 2024 Gone were the white medical coats and dour miens of Kinsey and Masters and Johnson. Louis Bayard, Washington Post, 15 July 2024 In mien, in dress, in catch phrase and in temperament. Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for mien 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mien
Noun
  • Read more Taylor Swift Found Perfectly Subtle Ways to Match Travis Kelce’s Bold Outfit on Date Night These may be their best matching looks yet.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 5 Jan. 2025
  • Here’s a look at the terms of the cease-fire and its prospects for ending hostilities over the long term.
    Abby Sewell and Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The head coach’s demeanor in those moments doesn’t help players to loosen up and play freely, either.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Mims’ confidence and demeanor seemed to change as the Broncos ramped up his usage as a hybrid running back.
    Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The presence of debt makes borrowers contractually liable for repayment.
    Ann Rutledge, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Through a combination of technical mastery and creative innovation, Donatello has established his work as a respected presence in the realm of fine art.
    Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Sheryl Lee Ralph credits her youthful appearance to a positive attitude and taking care of herself.
    Janine Rubenstein, People.com, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Thanks to statistics like these, America’s attitude toward higher education is undergoing a major shift.
    Mark C. Perna, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Authorities in New York have released the cause and manner of death of a woman who was set aflame inside a subway car earlier this month.
    Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 31 Dec. 2024
  • After the Dan Ashworth saga, the agonising manner in which Manchester United stole European qualification from Newcastle in May, that painful Carabao Cup final defeat in 2023 and more than 50 years of misery at Old Trafford, this really was a momentous win.
    Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Reis has been capped by Brazil up to under-17 level and has made 22 first-team appearances for Palmeiras since making his senior debut in June.
    Sam Lee, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
  • However, the purpose of the coenzyme is not just the appearance of eternal youth.
    Essence, Essence, 9 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mien.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mien. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

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