as in maleness
the set of qualities considered appropriate for or characteristic of men
some men believe that wearing pink would undermine their masculinity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 masculinity
During an appearance on the July 3 episode of the Tea Time with Raven & Miranda podcast, the actor, 39, discussed the topic of masculinity with Raven Symoné and her wife, Miranda Pearman-Maday.
—
Erin Clack, People.com, 12 July 2025
The more interesting angle of the Clark Kent/Superman flip-flop is that while being Superman allows the character to fulfill the most unrealistic expectations of masculinity, being Clark Kent frees him from them.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 July 2025
The research was picked up by men’s rights groups, which pointed to it as evidence that men were losing their masculinity.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 3 July 2025
Mac's deeply closeted, Catholic-guilty homosexuality had been treated as a joke throughout the show's run, with the joke never truly being about Mac being gay, but about how his desperate repression had twisted him into a caricature of grasping masculinity.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for masculinity
Erin Clack, People.com, 12 July 2025
The more interesting angle of the Clark Kent/Superman flip-flop is that while being Superman allows the character to fulfill the most unrealistic expectations of masculinity, being Clark Kent frees him from them.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 July 2025
The research was picked up by men’s rights groups, which pointed to it as evidence that men were losing their masculinity.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 3 July 2025
Mac's deeply closeted, Catholic-guilty homosexuality had been treated as a joke throughout the show's run, with the joke never truly being about Mac being gay, but about how his desperate repression had twisted him into a caricature of grasping masculinity.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for masculinity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masculinity
Noun
-
Friendships built on insecurity, where men constantly have to prove their manhood, are a breeding ground for toxic attitudes and stupid decision-making.—
Terry Ward,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
-
At some point during the build, construction equipment had leveled the ceremonial site of the Miccosukee’s Green Corn dance, where every new year, the tribe inducted boys into manhood in a ceremony.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
There's a true earthy manliness that's really f---ing raw and awesome.—
Yolanda Machado,
EW.com,
30 Apr. 2025
-
One of the most famous of the walkers was Edward Payton Weston, whose many ultra-walks touted a mix of sensationalism, spectacle, manliness, and health.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This emphasis on women’s bodies and behaviors is especially conspicuous amid a broader cultural preoccupation with male virility.—
Lucy Tu,
The Atlantic,
11 July 2025
-
This and That • If the pissing in his tight pants escapade wasn’t enough of a sign, Harry’s worried about what growing older will do to his virility.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
An emerging critique of aggrieved white machismo comes off, mostly, as a shallow topical hook.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
27 June 2025
-
Their meanderings spawn endless trading back and forth in a pathetic, albeit machismo, fashion.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Masculinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masculinity. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share