resigned demeanor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "resigned demeanor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person's attitude or appearance that reflects acceptance of a situation, often with a sense of defeat or surrender. Example: "After hearing the disappointing news, she maintained a resigned demeanor, accepting the outcome without protest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Sayyid's resigned demeanor masks an angry streak.

The New York Times

His resigned demeanor in the wake of the shootings in Colorado and Wisconsin, however, was a reflection of political realities.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I don't know; if that's the assessment, you know, I'll accept people's assessment," she said, her demeanor resigned.

The New York Times

"Her overall demeanor is that she has resigned her fate to Allah," said Saudatu Shehu Mahdi, the organization's secretary.

The New York Times

Domenech's demeanor at Tuesday's meeting was described as "dignified" by Jean-Louis Valentin, who resigned his position as the France team's deputy managing director immediately after the players' refusal to train.

The New York Times - Sports

He resigned in January, was hired by CBS Sports as a studio analyst for "The NFL Today," and in a network conference room yesterday displayed a calmness at odds with his excitable sideline demeanor.

The New York Times

They seemed resigned — they'd been married long enough to suspect that the Allen boys would disappoint them, sons of a father who'd raised them to have the off-handed demeanor of the rich whom he admired.

The New Yorker

Another resigned.

The Economist

Agnew resigned.

The New Yorker

Sutton resigned.

The New York Times - Sports

Chamberlain resigned.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "resigned demeanor" when you want to describe someone's outward behavior as showing acceptance of something unpleasant or inevitable, often without outward protest but with an underlying sense of disappointment or defeat.

Common error

Avoid using "resigned demeanor" when you intend to convey active acceptance or proactive coping. This phrase indicates passivity, so opt for expressions like "calm acceptance" or "matter-of-fact attitude" if the situation involves active adaptation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "resigned demeanor" functions as a descriptor, combining an adjective ("resigned") with a noun ("demeanor") to modify or characterize someone's behavior or outward appearance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "resigned demeanor" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI, to describe someone's outward acceptance of an unfavorable situation. While the phrase is not very common, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to differentiate it from terms implying active acceptance or overt defeat. Alternatives such as "acceptance of fate" and "submissive attitude" offer similar meanings with slightly varying nuances, making the choice dependent on the specific emotional tone you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passive resignation

Highlights inactivity and acceptance with lack of resistance.

acceptance of fate

Focuses on the acceptance aspect, often implying a passive yielding to circumstances.

submissive attitude

Highlights the aspect of yielding to authority or circumstances, potentially lacking the emotional complexity.

acquiescent manner

Emphasizes compliance and agreement, possibly without genuine enthusiasm or conviction.

defeatist outlook

Stresses the sense of being defeated and expecting failure, which might be a stronger sentiment.

unresisting behavior

Emphasizes the lack of opposition, possibly in the face of adversity.

yielding disposition

Focuses on the tendency to give way to pressure or influence.

stoic acceptance

Emphasizes endurance and acceptance of hardship without complaint.

forlorn appearance

Conveys a sense of sadness and abandonment, focusing more on outward presentation.

fatalistic attitude

Highlights the belief that all events are predetermined and inevitable.

FAQs

How can I use "resigned demeanor" in a sentence?

You can use "resigned demeanor" to describe someone's behavior or appearance when they are accepting something negative or undesirable. For instance: "After losing the game, the player displayed a "resigned demeanor" as he shook hands with his opponent."

What is a good alternative to "resigned demeanor"?

Alternatives include "acceptance of fate", "submissive attitude", or "passive resignation" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What does "resigned" actually mean in the context of "resigned demeanor"?

In this context, "resigned" means accepting something unpleasant that one cannot do anything about. It implies a lack of resistance or protest, even if there is underlying disappointment.

Is there a difference between "resigned demeanor" and "defeated attitude"?

"Resigned demeanor" implies a more subdued acceptance, while "defeated attitude" suggests a stronger sense of having lost or failed. A "defeated attitude" might be more openly expressive, whereas a "resigned demeanor" can be more subtle and internal.