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 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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as in average
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as in low
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as in careful
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as in cruel
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as in dirty
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as in inferior
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as in awesome
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as in dilapidated
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as in lame
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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
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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 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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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 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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2
as in careful
giving or sharing as little as possible
a mean child who hoarded all her toys
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3
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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4
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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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 awesome
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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of mean
Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2025
That means that any sudden car movements – stopping, accelerating, or turning – could cause the tires to skid on top of the snow.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
However, over time, some automakers took a pass on the Detroit show in favor of other means of marketing.
—Bill Koenig, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Skyler Caruso, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Though Grande and Slater began dating after their respective marriages were over — both divorces were legally finalized in time for the Wicked premiere – the chaotic timeline led social media to unfairly cast Grande as the mean girl homewrecker who’d destroyed a happy family.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mean 
Verb
That means that the German domestic intelligence service, the equivalent of the F.B.I., monitors you and investigates you and potentially prosecutes you.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2025
That means that any sudden car movements – stopping, accelerating, or turning – could cause the tires to skid on top of the snow.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
The harsh reality is that in opting for a colder, more pragmatic approach, the means have to justify the end.
—Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
However, over time, some automakers took a pass on the Detroit show in favor of other means of marketing.
—Bill Koenig, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
This ahead-of-its-time 1988 film stars Bill Murray as Frank Cross, a TV executive and self-seeking miser who receives a wake-up call from the ghosts of Christmas Past (David Johansen), Present (Carol Kane) and Future (Robert Hammond) to help straighten his mean spirit.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Though Grande and Slater began dating after their respective marriages were over — both divorces were legally finalized in time for the Wicked premiere – the chaotic timeline led social media to unfairly cast Grande as the mean girl homewrecker who’d destroyed a happy family.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mean
Verb
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Pink areas on the coasts note regions with winter storm warnings; bright purple on the coasts notes storm warnings; and light blue areas signify cold weather warnings.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
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Meanwhile, another new Lenovo laptop could signify the beginning of the end for one of the company’s trademark technologies: the trackpoint.Barry Collins, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Whatever sparks a change in execution doesn’t matter, as long as the progress is sustainable.Zach Harper, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
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The losses to Ohio State and Oregon don’t matter to Penn State right now.Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Trinity Metro had originally intended to stretch the line into Fort Worth’s Near Southside, an active and comparatively dense neighborhood, but budgetary pressures forced planners to bench the initiative.Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Jan. 2025
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Power shutoffs intended to reduce the risk of additional fires have left hundreds of thousands of people across the Southland in the dark this week.Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Some studies indicate that smoke’s contaminants can effectively bypass the skin barrier altogether.Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
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In San Diego, a 2023 report indicated that the majority of people in county jails had previously experienced homelessness.Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Look at Shorr’s photo of a trio of bridesmaids pressed together on the car’s back bench, having a drink in the middle of the afternoon, relaxing on their way to the reception.Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2025
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Wide receiver Grant DuBose was attempting to catch a pass over the middle of the field when the Dolphins played the Houston Texans during Week 15.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Morgan also said that the lack of depth on defense was his doing.Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2025
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The compulsion for constant doing defends you from feeling unpleasant emotions and gives you safety and security even if the task itself is satisfying.Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Noun
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China’s foreign ministry announced on Thursday that Han Zheng, the vice president of China, will arrive to represent President Xi Jinping.Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2025
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The post-Shoigu defense ministry has also been reorganized, the report added.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Ripple, a crypto company, gave $5 million worth of its cryptocurrency to the inaugural committee.Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
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It is recommended to store at least one gallon of water per person per day for several days, as well as multiple days’ worth of food that does not require refrigeration, cooking or other special preparation, according to the federal government disaster preparedness website Ready.gov.Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 14 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Mean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mean. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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