MACHO Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

macho 1 of 2

noun

Definition of macho

as in masculinity

the set of qualities considered appropriate for or characteristic of men their annual guys-only hunting trip is a celebration of macho

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macho

2 of 2

adjective

as in hypermasculine

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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 macho

Noun

In the 20th century, macho came to mean an exaggerated or even somewhat aggressive kind of masculinity, often with humorous undertones. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025 And the ultra macho (and sometimes clueless) Rick Ford is having none of this. — Mike Ryan, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025

Adjective

Both the Smiths and mariachi music can drive even the most macho Mexican man to tears with their poetic lyrics and layered instrumentals. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 Not that Georgian masculinity, with its macho, bellicose posturing and archaic codes of honor, is portrayed as anything other than fumbling and futile. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for macho

Recent Examples of Synonyms for macho

Noun

Lukas Dhont | Belgium | 120 min Cannes Acting Prize winners Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagne lead Lukas Dhont’s deeply moving drama about grief, masculinity, friendship, and the pressure to become who others expect.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026
Experts say the statistics reflect a systemic problem with local concepts of masculinity.

— Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of masculinity

Adjective

Many of Mifune's films cast him in hypermasculine roles, though Mifune’s performances were often layered.

— Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
The Tate brothers, who openly describe themselves as misogynists, built a global following by promoting a lavish, hypermasculine lifestyle through their social media empire.

— Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of hypermasculine

Adjective

Zoe’s mentioned this idea of masculine and feminine energy — what one presents and what one actually holds, and the old switcheroos of that.

— Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Ramírez translated the dance into rigorous black silhouettes, tailoring, restraint and the tension between masculine and feminine.

— Michelle Edgar, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of masculine

Adjective

This switching of places is especially true of Islam seen as an alien but also more virile force than Western liberalism, one whose power thus needs to be countered by its own weapons of solidarity and domination.

— Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026
Jimmy is immediately struck by this younger, virile, needier man when Vincent asks him to help move a piece of furniture in.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 May 2026

Definition of virile

Adjective

Older male actors are particularly common bait, according to Arrigoni.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026
First, the sequence pays homage to the nightclub scene in Gilda (1946), in which Rita Hayworth dances in a long shot amid ogling male patrons, tracked by a concentrated spotlight.

— Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of male

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“Macho.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/macho. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of macho

noun

adjective

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