masculinity

noun

ˌma-skyə-ˈli-nə-tē How to pronounce masculinity (audio)
Definition of masculinitynext
as in maleness
the set of qualities considered appropriate for or characteristic of men some men believe that wearing pink would undermine their masculinity

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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 The film is directed by David Ayer, a purveyor of wild action flicks and ballads of masculinity; the screenplay is the debut effort of Cameron Alexander. — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026 There’s an aspect of insecure masculinity—also present in the Turgenev and Davis Singers—as these men find themselves in the unknowns of a national transition. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2026 Serious visions of masculinity seem to be somewhat in vogue, too. — T. M. Brown, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026 At best, Hombre Al Agua is a passion project in which the Mexican star dishes out some thoughts on fatherhood, masculinity and moral purpose. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for masculinity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masculinity
  1. maleness
  2. manhood
  3. manliness
  4. virility
  5. machismo
Noun
  • Public speech was a—if not the—defining attribute of maleness.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
  • The men handling their maleness was interesting.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Definition of maleness
Noun
  • That was a great pinball experience, just to bounce off these guys my whole life as a boy and kind of go into manhood and make music with those guys.
    — Gary Graff, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, her son Ruari (Murphy) is in a crisis about his manhood, and her parents are ailing.
    — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of manhood
Noun
  • While concerns regarding testosterone levels are new, anxiety about manliness is ancient, often rising with a society’s material comfort.
    — Elizabeth Dray, STAT, 21 July 2026
  • The intoxicating pull of the manosphere – the hyper-online community led by men who tout misogynistic definitions of manliness – has given Glass a boisterous brigade of rivals.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
Definition of manliness
Noun
  • Experts believe the statue may have symbolized masculinity, virility, strength, and courage.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The transition from farms, the open range, and artisanal workshops to offices and large, impersonal, factories was seen as sapping virility—just as our tiny cubicles and remote workstations are said to do today.
    — Michael Kimmel, Time, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of virility
Noun
  • Perhaps in another lifetime, or another novel, Ned would find a way to nourish these intimations of benevolence or even love, refusing to let them be spoiled by his own aspirational machismo.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
  • At the center of it all is an electrifying performance by Robert Pattinson as Hansen, a man who aspires to powerful anchor machismo but is slowly falling apart.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of machismo

Browse Nearby Words

masculine
masculinity
mash
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Cite this Entry

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

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