macho
Tough guy posturing
Macho describes aggressively masculine behavior—tough, dominant, physically strong, emotionally stoic.
The word carries a critical edge, suggesting masculinity performed or exaggerated: He's too macho to ask for directions.
A macho attitude prizes toughness over vulnerability.
As a noun, a macho is a man who embodies these traits.
The related noun machismo names the attitude itself.
Traditionally masculine in bearing
- virilePowerfully masculine
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
- muscularHaving well-developed sinews
- brawnyPhysically powerful, well-muscled
strapping · burly · beefy · robust · husky · vigorous · athletic · powerful
Insincere behavior for effect
- blusterLoud, empty boasting
- boastingExcessive self-praise
- cockinessBrash overconfidence
- arroganceExcessive self-importance
swagger · showmanship · grandstanding · hubris · audacity · boldness · brazenness · overconfidence
First Greek letter
- controlAuthority to direct
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- commandingExerting strong authority
- assertiveConfidently self-assured
boss · supremacy · aggressive · intimidating · territorial · competitive · chest-beating · confrontational
Large furry omnivore
Biased group supremacist
- sexistBiased based on gender
- misogynistOne who hates women
- patriarchalMale-authority based
- tough-guyAggressive masculine persona
beefcake · muscleman · jock · strongman · cowboy · lumberjack · bruiser · meathead
Able to recover quickly
- hardyAble to endure difficulty
- ruggedTough and uneven
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- tenaciousStubbornly determined to continue
gritty · fortitude · stoic · unflinching · steely · hardened · thick-skinned · gruff
manly
Traditionally masculine in bearing
- virilePowerfully masculine
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
- muscularHaving well-developed sinews
brawny · strapping · burly · beefy · robust · husky · vigorous · athletic · powerful · sturdy
posturing
Insincere behavior for effect
arrogance · swagger · showmanship · grandstanding · hubris · audacity · boldness · brazenness · overconfidence · chest-thumping
alpha
First Greek letter
- controlAuthority to direct
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- commandingExerting strong authority
assertive · boss · supremacy · aggressive · intimidating · territorial · competitive · chest-beating · confrontational · overbearing
bear
Large furry omnivore
top · cub · otter · hypermasculine · clone · trade · cruising
chauvinist
Biased group supremacist
- sexistBiased based on gender
- misogynistOne who hates women
- patriarchalMale-authority based
tough-guy · beefcake · muscleman · jock · strongman · cowboy · lumberjack · bruiser · meathead · caveman
resilient
Able to recover quickly
- hardyAble to endure difficulty
- ruggedTough and uneven
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
tenacious · gritty · fortitude · stoic · unflinching · steely · hardened · thick-skinned · gruff · rough
- borrowed wordschic, naive, passe, avant-garde, faux
- masculinitymanhood, masculinity, manliness, alpha male, manly
- gender traitsmasculine, feminine, male, female, manly
- male typesalpha male, beta male, sigma male, nice guy, bad boy
- flamencoduende, fandango, flamenco guitar, toque, zapateado
- Spanish Wordsagua, adios, amigo, bueno, casa
machosensitive
Easily affected emotionally
tender · vulnerable · nurturing · sentimental · empathetic