Synonym Chooser

How does the noun deportment contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of deportment are bearing, carriage, demeanor, manner, and mien. While all these words mean "the outward manifestation of personality or attitude," deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.

your deportment was atrocious

When can bearing be used instead of deportment?

The synonyms bearing and deportment are sometimes interchangeable, but bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.

a woman of regal bearing

When is carriage a more appropriate choice than deportment?

The words carriage and deportment are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking.

the kind of carriage learned at boarding school

In what contexts can demeanor take the place of deportment?

Although the words demeanor and deportment have much in common, demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.

the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter

When is it sensible to use manner instead of deportment?

While the synonyms manner and deportment 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

When could mien be used to replace deportment?

The meanings of mien and deportment largely overlap; however, mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor.

a mien of supreme self-satisfaction

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 deportment Why cast a hearing actor with tremendous charisma next to a deaf actor who is made out (in costuming, grooming and general deportment) to be a schlub? Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024 But on the first night of a three-day visit to Southern California, the focus shifted to Williams’ personality, deportment and wiring. Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2024 Rubinstein opened salons around the world to sell her products and the lifestyle associated with them, offering everything from skin analysis to deportment classes. The Editors, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024 There were no deportment classes, no one telling me to stand, as my mother’s generation did, with my shoulders back and chest out. Thessaly La Force, Vogue, 18 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for deportment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deportment
Noun
  • Woman 'Unknowingly' Moves to Germany With Army Husband, Then Stays For 10 Years A third commenter penned a lengthy response critiquing the woman's behavior towards her husband.
    Erica Gerald Mason, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Sean Hartnoll has been analyzing the chaotic behavior found inside black holes in the hopes of coming up with a quantum theory of gravity.
    Lyndie Chiou, Wired News, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Sometimes a team’s cold demeanor is not personal but rather a reflection of an overall atmosphere of stress or miscommunication that affects everyone.
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Just as importantly, Brivio says, Ogura’s apparent calm demeanor turned out to be a genuine cornerstone of his personality.
    Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • These innocuous-seeming actions can kindle dry vegetation, potentially spawning a wildfire.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2025
  • For some government employees, levels of access to this information is determined by their job functions via a formal security clearance process and vetting actions.
    Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 22 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deportment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deportment. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on deportment

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