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
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Recent Examples of masculinity
Instead of this material reality, the left often talks about masculinity as a cultural or ideological construct.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Furthermore, the study highlights cultural contingencies, indicating that the detrimental effects of workplace aggression are amplified in cultures characterized by high individualism and masculinity.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Ancient Rome is cool because of gladiators, Julius Caesar — and yes, the underlying lore of strength, bravery and epic feats of masculinity.
—Donie O'Sullivan, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
And what are your thoughts on the way that the character, for better or for worse, has been used and propped up as a bastion of masculinity in pop culture?
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masculinity
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Furthermore, the study highlights cultural contingencies, indicating that the detrimental effects of workplace aggression are amplified in cultures characterized by high individualism and masculinity.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Ancient Rome is cool because of gladiators, Julius Caesar — and yes, the underlying lore of strength, bravery and epic feats of masculinity.
—Donie O'Sullivan, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
And what are your thoughts on the way that the character, for better or for worse, has been used and propped up as a bastion of masculinity in pop culture?
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masculinity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masculinity
Noun
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The posts and accompanying videos seen by CNN typically promise good pay and to boost the manhood of those who sign up.—
Yong Xiong, Todd Symons,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2025
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The intersection of toxic masculinity (i.e., loss of their virginity is a rite of passage into manhood) and adultification (i.e., viewing and treating Black boys as men) perpetuates early sexualization and hypersexualization of Black boys.—
Essence,
Essence,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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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
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Some believe that this practice ensures boys remain heterosexual and promotes manliness.—
Essence,
Essence,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But before then, they were exclusively worn by men and were a sign of virility and high social status.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN,
13 Mar. 2025
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Tom Cruise, that avatar of all-American virility, opened the evening with an address that reaffirmed the rightness of the proceedings, much as Peck had in 1968.—
Michael Schulman,
The New Yorker,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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By comparison, even peers like Iggy or Lou Reed were willing to fall back on tough-guy machismo when addressing women, in ways that Johansen had absolutely no use for.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
1 Mar. 2025
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Instead of using this opportunity to make Bond a more inclusive franchise, Bezos could very well lean into the franchise’s outmoded machismo, returning Bond to an aggressive womanizer and pillar of a brand of masculinity that aligns with the values of the far right.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Masculinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masculinity. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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