diff --git a/doc/dlb.6 b/doc/dlb.6
index b58b12164..d4557ae18 100644
--- a/doc/dlb.6
+++ b/doc/dlb.6
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ dlb \- NetHack data librarian
 }\c
 .RB [ v ]\c
 .B I
-.IR list-file
+.I list-file
 .PP
 .B dlb
 {\c
diff --git a/doc/makedefs.6 b/doc/makedefs.6
index f33dc42e1..e2813adc8 100644
--- a/doc/makedefs.6
+++ b/doc/makedefs.6
@@ -122,19 +122,19 @@ Generate the
 .TP
 .B -1
 Generate the
-.IR epitaph
+.I epitaph
 file.
 .br
 .TP
 .B -2
 Generate the
-.IR engrave
+.I engrave
 file.
 .br
 .TP
 .B -3
 Generate the
-.IR bogusmon
+.I bogusmon
 file.
 .br
 .TP
diff --git a/doc/nethack.6 b/doc/nethack.6
index c9a5bcbfb..a9c46e6fc 100644
--- a/doc/nethack.6
+++ b/doc/nethack.6
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ Also
 |
 .BR \-R | \-Rog
 |
-.BR \-Ran
+.B \-Ran
 |
 .BR \-S | \-Sam
 |
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ Also
 .B \-\-help
 ]
 [
-.BR \-\-showpaths
+.B \-\-showpaths
 ]
 .\" force line wrap now rather than have that happen after the opening brace
 .br
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ The
 |
 .BR \-R | \-Rog
 |
-.BR \-Ran
+.B \-Ran
 |
 .BR \-S | \-Sam
 |