Synonyms of mean
-
as in to signify 
-
as in to matter
-
as in to intend
-
as in to indicate
-
as in middle
-
as in doing
-
as in ministry
-
as in worth
-
as in average
-
as in low
-
as in careful
-
as in cruel
-
as in dirty
-
as in inferior
-
as in awesome
-
as in dilapidated
-
as in lame
-
Synonym Chooser
-
Example Sentences
-
Phrases Containing
-
Entries Near
-
Related Articles
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to intend
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
I mean to win this race
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in middle
a middle point between extremes
that candidate's moderate views were seen as the mean that voters were looking for
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in doing
means plural
an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result
won the competition by fair and honest means
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in ministry
means plural
something used to achieve an end
the ends don't justify the means
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in worth
means plural
the total of one's money and property
a woman of considerable means
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in careful
giving or sharing as little as possible
a mean child who hoarded all her toys
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dirty
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
a mean trick to play on a trusting person
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in inferior
of little or less value or merit
it's no mean feat to memorize that long poem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
he worked hard to escape the mean neighborhood of his youth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mean
Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025
For some people, this might mean lying in bed, while for others, it's propped upright in a chair or on the couch.
—Amanda Chatel, Glamour, 25 Feb. 2025
David Opie, IndieWire, 25 Feb. 2025
The department has been criticized for using surreptitious means to collect DNA, like grabbing a soda can used by a suspect after questioning.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2025
Jenny Adams, AFAR Media, 11 Feb. 2025
This spot features a housemade limoncello and a mean happy hour from Monday to Thursday from 3 p.m to 6 p.m., including a $5 house cabernet and chardonnay, $4.50 domestic beers and $7 bites.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Verb
The preferential ballot means a film’s best chance at winning depends on which movies get eliminated first — those with the fewest No. 1 votes.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025
For some people, this might mean lying in bed, while for others, it's propped upright in a chair or on the couch.
—Amanda Chatel, Glamour, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
And what does the film’s unprecedented success mean for global cinema moving forward?
—David Opie, IndieWire, 25 Feb. 2025
The department has been criticized for using surreptitious means to collect DNA, like grabbing a soda can used by a suspect after questioning.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Guests arrive to a warm welcome from innkeeper Todd Schwartz, who lives upstairs, drives a 1967 Lincoln Continental, and stirs a mean Martini.
—Jenny Adams, AFAR Media, 11 Feb. 2025
This spot features a housemade limoncello and a mean happy hour from Monday to Thursday from 3 p.m to 6 p.m., including a $5 house cabernet and chardonnay, $4.50 domestic beers and $7 bites.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mean
Verb
-
The Republican Party mentioned education 31 times in their 1980 Republican Platform, signifying the immediate concern of education policy and a shift towards bipartisan focus on schooling issues.—
Mallory Hutchings-Tryon / Made by History,
TIME,
20 Feb. 2025
-
The researchers concluded that the uptick in online searches signifies the need for public health officials to stay in front of the issue of gambling addiction, including through research and a comprehensive health care response.—
Erik Ortiz,
NBC News,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
But the relative rankings did not matter when Teel stepped in against Sasaki on Tuesday.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
-
What matters most is that members who are paying dues at their clubs have their rights and privileges protected.—
Mike Dojc,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The opinions expressed in this article are not intended to replace any professional or expert accounting and/or tax advice whatsoever.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Friday's White House meeting was intended to sign a deal related to Ukraine's rare minerals and discuss a diplomatic resolution to the war.—
Newsweek,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Asthmatic respiratory crisis indicates the pope struggled to maintain a sufficient oxygen level when breathing on his own, according to medical experts.—
Phoebe Natanson,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Research indicates that relationship satisfaction tends to decrease between the ages of 20 and 40, reaching a low point around age 40.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Sarah Catherine is on my birth certificate, and then Campbell is my middle, followed by Hook, my last name.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
24 Feb. 2025
-
My impression today—shared by many faculty members—is that young America has moved back toward the middle in terms of their work ethic, commitment to free speech, and belief in non-discriminatory competition.—
John Rau,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
For example, the White House Correspondents Association decides which reporters go into small spaces like the Oval Office or Air Force One to report on the president’s doings.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2025
-
The region has long suffered from civil conflict, and bodies washing up on the riverbanks may not have all been Gustave’s doing.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Ukrainian defense ministry capture Watching and waiting outside the ruins of Ulakly in eastern Ukraine in recent days, Ukrainian drones demonstrated how Kyiv’s drone crews and artillery gunners work together to spot, track, fix and finish off Russian assault troops.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Newsweek has contacted the Ukrainian foreign ministry for comment.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Scientists estimate a garbage truck's worth of plastic waste enters the oceans every minute, where large debris threatens fish, sea turtles and marine mammals with entanglement and smaller plastics enter the ocean food web.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
-
The tariffs threaten to raise the prices Americans pay for a wide array of products that are imported from the three nations, which collectively shipped $1.4 trillion worth of goods to the US last year — more than 40% of the value of US imports.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mean. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share