manliness
Traditionally masculine bearing
Manliness is the quality of possessing traits traditionally associated with men—strength, courage, decisiveness, stoicism.
The word carries approval: He showed real manliness in standing up for his beliefs.
What counts as manliness varies by era and culture; Victorian manliness emphasized moral character, while modern usage often stresses physical toughness or emotional resilience.
Courage in danger
- heroismExceptional courage under duress
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- fearlessnessComplete lack of dread
intrepidity · boldness · daring · audacity · pluck · grit · mettle · backbone
Capacity to recover quickly
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- hardinessAbility to endure adversity
- staminaCapacity for sustained effort
tenacity · ruggedness · fortitude · stoicism · steadfastness · unflappable · thick-skinned · steely
Excessive masculine pride
- swaggerConfident, boastful manner
- alphaFirst Greek letter
- tough-guyAggressive masculine persona
- hypermasculineExaggerated male toughness
bravado · posturing · chest-thumping · aggression · dominance · cockiness · showboating · one-upmanship
One who furnishes things
- protectorOne who safeguards others
- breadwinnerPrimary household earner
- patriarchMale head of family
- fatherhoodState of being dad
chivalry · gentleman · honor · duty · stoic · self-reliance · responsibility · leadership
Having well-developed sinews
- brawnyPhysically powerful, well-muscled
- strappingMuscular and hale
- robustStrong and durable
- athleticPhysically strong and active
burly · husky · broad-shouldered · chiseled · barrel-chested · sinewy · well-built · powerlifter
Chief male sex hormone
- potencyDegree of strength
- fertilityCapacity for reproduction
- vigorActive physical strength
- vitalityCapacity for spirited existence
libido · stamina · stallion · stud · prowess · red-blooded · full-blooded · lusty
Facial hair growth
- baritoneMid-range male voice
- hunterPursuer of prey
- lumberjackProfessional tree cutter
- grillingCooking on metal grates
sports · beer · cigars · power-tools · flannel · trucks · roughhousing · outdoorsman
valor
Courage in danger
- heroismExceptional courage under duress
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
fearlessness · intrepidity · boldness · daring · audacity · pluck · grit · mettle · backbone · nerve
resilience
Capacity to recover quickly
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- hardinessAbility to endure adversity
stamina · tenacity · ruggedness · fortitude · stoicism · steadfastness · unflappable · thick-skinned · steely · grizzled
machismo
Excessive masculine pride
hypermasculine · bravado · posturing · chest-thumping · aggression · dominance · cockiness · showboating · one-upmanship · bluster
provider
One who furnishes things
- protectorOne who safeguards others
- breadwinnerPrimary household earner
- patriarchMale head of family
fatherhood · chivalry · gentleman · honor · duty · stoic · self-reliance · responsibility · leadership · dependable
muscular
Having well-developed sinews
athletic · burly · husky · broad-shouldered · chiseled · barrel-chested · sinewy · well-built · powerlifter · bodybuilder
testosterone
Chief male sex hormone
vitality · libido · stamina · stallion · stud · prowess · red-blooded · full-blooded · lusty · hearty
beard
Facial hair growth
- baritoneMid-range male voice
- hunterPursuer of prey
- lumberjackProfessional tree cutter
grilling · sports · beer · cigars · power-tools · flannel · trucks · roughhousing · outdoorsman · stoic
- masculinitymachismo, masculinity, alpha male, virility, macho
- valorbravery, courage, gallantry, heroism, fearlessness
- virtuesintegrity, honesty, justice, courage, fairness
manlinessfemininity
Female nature or character
womanliness · femaleness · womanhood · girlishness · effeminacy
manlinesscowardice
Absence of bravery
timidity · fearfulness · pusillanimity · spinelessness · cravenness
manlinessweakness
Deficiency in force
frailty · feebleness · delicacy · effeteness · softness