Synonyms of mean
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as in to signify
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as in to matter
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as in to intend
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as in to indicate
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as in cruel
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as in dirty
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as in low
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as in stingy
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as in inferior
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as in great
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as in dilapidated
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as in lame
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as in average
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as in middle
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as in doing
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as in ministry
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as in worth
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Example Sentences
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1
as in to signify
to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind
the national anthem means various things to various people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to matter
to be of importance
your presence at my graduation would mean a lot to me
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3
as in to intend
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
I mean to win this race
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1
as in cruel
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it
a mean, embittered old woman who wanted company for her misery
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2
as in dirty
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
a mean trick to play on a trusting person
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3
as in low
belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank
Alexander Hamilton seems to have had feelings of inferiority because of his mean origins
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4
as in stingy
giving or sharing as little as possible
a mean child who hoarded all her toys
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5
as in inferior
of little or less value or merit
it's no mean feat to memorize that long poem
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6
as in great
of the very best kind
I'm a mean dancer, so you could do worse than go to the prom with me
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7
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
he worked hard to escape the mean neighborhood of his youth
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8
as in lame
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
that was no mean stunt to pull off, especially with so little advance preparation
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as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
for the state of Florida, what is the mean number of sunny days per month?
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1
as in middle
a middle point between extremes
that candidate's moderate views were seen as the mean that voters were looking for
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2
as in doing
means plural
an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result
won the competition by fair and honest means
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3
as in ministry
means plural
something used to achieve an end
the ends don't justify the means
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4
as in worth
means plural
the total of one's money and property
a woman of considerable means
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of mean
Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Does that mean his … poop is green?
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 June 2026
Rebecca Dunlea, The Conversation, 17 June 2026
Our leads will be abandoning the mean streets of New York City for merry old London.
—Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026
Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2026
The government of Kagame, whose party has ruled Rwanda since 1994, has tried to bridge ethnic divisions using legal means and other measures, and has been praised by many for presiding over relative peace and stability.
—ABC News, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mean
Verb
Breslow knows a sell-off would mean admitting the firings didn’t work.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Does that mean his … poop is green?
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 June 2026
Adjective
Weekly caseloads can vary by as much as 15% above or below the average across weeks in a Colorado judicial district, with a mean change of 6%.
—Rebecca Dunlea, The Conversation, 17 June 2026
Our leads will be abandoning the mean streets of New York City for merry old London.
—Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026
Noun
Founder of the House Tax Equity Caucus, Elliott — who favors child tax and renters’ credits or other means to reduce burdens on low- and middle-income households — says the demand for relief is the voters’ mantra.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2026
The government of Kagame, whose party has ruled Rwanda since 1994, has tried to bridge ethnic divisions using legal means and other measures, and has been praised by many for presiding over relative peace and stability.
—ABC News, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mean
Verb
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But now, news from Google might signify that change will happen in the future.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
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Even though the name of the app signifies a mobile passport, travelers will still need to present a valid, physical passport as part of the security process when using the app.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2026
Verb
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What matters is whether each piece earns regular wear.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
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Context matters more than surface comparisons.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Bear spray is intended for situations where a bear is approaching aggressively or charging.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
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One woman intended to use the time to order electrolytes online, another was seeking earring backs, and a third needed to find a male babysitter, as well as a summer swim program, for a four-and-a-half-year-old who is afraid of the water.—
Patricia Marx,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Authorities have said evidence indicated Wanner was kept alive for at least several days after she was kidnapped.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
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As videos shared online Tuesday indicate, that work included a toxic chemical being being poured into the pool.—
Mike Stunson,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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Still, the simple story — written by Jordan Tannahill, who adapted his own book, and directed by Janicza Bravo — illustrates various destructive choices and cruel actions ostensibly driven by love.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
12 June 2026
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Here is the part that feels especially cruel.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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There are two freezer martini variations – one with vodka, served dirty and another with gin and a lemon twist.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2026
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Wet bathing suits and dirty clothes need somewhere to go once your kid has changed into something dry and clean.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
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The proposal was designed to help stabilize the state budget and eliminate a structural deficit through July 2028, while also protecting smaller businesses with lower tax liability.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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Both can be selfish, and both can be hard to see clearly on your own.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
12 June 2026
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Maeve could be selfish and self-deluding.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mean. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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