1
as in signifies
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 matters
to be of importance
your presence at my graduation would mean a lot to me
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in intends
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
I mean to win this race
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in measure
an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result
won the competition by fair and honest means
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in instrumentality
something used to achieve an end
the ends don't justify the means
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in wealth
the total of one's money and property
a woman of considerable means
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of means
Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 27 May 2026
For them, that means being realistic that artists can also have full-time jobs, are raising children, and are caring for their family or other members of their community.
—Brianna J. Heath, ARTnews.com, 26 May 2026
This means that a creditor like Vaughn is stuck, at least under the Virginia LLC Act.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
That hormones shape our moods and feelings, wire our brains and guide numerous, diverse processes throughout the body means that the practice of endocrinology is not based around any particular organ.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
This means that there will not be as many eighteen-year-olds applying to college in 2029, say, as there were in 2025.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 19 May 2026
That also means an international game every week of the season.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
The system means a British prime minister can be replaced without a general election, but that the party in control of the government will remain in charge until that wider vote is held.
—Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 19 May 2026
True transparency means context, not just clips.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 19 May 2026
Olivia Allen, Vogue, 25 May 2026
All of this comes after reports that Lauren Sánchez is trying to help Bezos reshape his public image, and part of that for her means going out and meeting with people.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 25 May 2026
Turning toward simply means responding with interest, warmth, or engagement.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
In contested divorces, even between couples of significant means, the family home will typically go to the custodial parent, Ryznar told me, in order to minimize disruption to the children’s lives.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 23 May 2026
So, by all means, enjoy the entertainment on Sunday.
—Matt Slater, New York Times, 23 May 2026
The rooms The rooms here were last renovated in 2017—just a hair earlier than Four Seasons One Dalton Street’s rooms, which opened in 2019, but are by no means old or inferior.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2026
Some viewers even felt its liberal use of absurdity in fact grounded the show in the real world compared to the high-minded weepies on daytime, achieving honesty through nontraditional means.
—Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Finalists are prohibited from obtaining votes by any fraudulent or inappropriate means, including, without limitation, offering prizes or other inducements to members of the public, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion.
—Tim McGovern, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Verb
Its connection means many local children support the Catalan club.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 27 May 2026
For them, that means being realistic that artists can also have full-time jobs, are raising children, and are caring for their family or other members of their community.
—Brianna J. Heath, ARTnews.com, 26 May 2026
This means that a creditor like Vaughn is stuck, at least under the Virginia LLC Act.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
That hormones shape our moods and feelings, wire our brains and guide numerous, diverse processes throughout the body means that the practice of endocrinology is not based around any particular organ.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
This means that there will not be as many eighteen-year-olds applying to college in 2029, say, as there were in 2025.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 19 May 2026
That also means an international game every week of the season.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
The system means a British prime minister can be replaced without a general election, but that the party in control of the government will remain in charge until that wider vote is held.
—Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 19 May 2026
True transparency means context, not just clips.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 19 May 2026
Noun
As the saying goes, failure to prepare means preparing to fail–and the most successful dressers tend to have a practical streak.
—Olivia Allen, Vogue, 25 May 2026
All of this comes after reports that Lauren Sánchez is trying to help Bezos reshape his public image, and part of that for her means going out and meeting with people.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 25 May 2026
Turning toward simply means responding with interest, warmth, or engagement.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
In contested divorces, even between couples of significant means, the family home will typically go to the custodial parent, Ryznar told me, in order to minimize disruption to the children’s lives.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 23 May 2026
So, by all means, enjoy the entertainment on Sunday.
—Matt Slater, New York Times, 23 May 2026
The rooms The rooms here were last renovated in 2017—just a hair earlier than Four Seasons One Dalton Street’s rooms, which opened in 2019, but are by no means old or inferior.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2026
Some viewers even felt its liberal use of absurdity in fact grounded the show in the real world compared to the high-minded weepies on daytime, achieving honesty through nontraditional means.
—Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Finalists are prohibited from obtaining votes by any fraudulent or inappropriate means, including, without limitation, offering prizes or other inducements to members of the public, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion.
—Tim McGovern, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for means
Verb
-
The constant movement might make some audience members dizzy, yet its jitteriness signifies the anxiety and unease of the characters, both in their skin and with each other.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
25 May 2026
-
For families, the graduation signifies a major transition in their lives.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
That matters because much of organizational learning happens through incomplete conversation.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
But at the end of the day, the number that matters most is wins, and right now at 22-31 the Red Sox are only one win up from having the fewest wins in the American League.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Affecting workers at offices in Fremont, Burlingame, and San Francisco, Meta Platforms intends to eliminate 671 jobs on July 22, WARN letters on file with the Employment Development Department show.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
26 May 2026
-
Despite the acquisition, Lim intends to stay on as the brand’s creative director.—
Rachel Burchfield,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
Former coach Jim Gray was named as one of the school employees in the lawsuit, but a letter provided to the court by the plaintiff’s law firm Brelsford Androvich indicates that Gray’s inclusion in the lawsuit was made in error.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2026
-
The filing in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York indicates that CNN sought to strike a content deal with Perplexity last year but did not agree on terms.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Under both measures, only small businesses would qualify.—
Jack O'Connor,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
Voters overwhelmingly rejected the ballot measure that asked them whether to raise the state gas tax by 6 cents to 46 cents a gallon.—
Claire Rush,
Fortune,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Issued by the Wyoming Stable Token Commission, a state instrumentality created under the Wyoming Stable Token Act (2023), FRNT is fully reserved and managed in partnership with Franklin Templeton.—
Jason Brett,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Holding the weight of cotton’s influence on the world, and thus the instrumentality of Black labor, is painful, yet necessary work.—
Cierra Black,
Essence,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
In an era shaped by social media, widening inequality, and constant exposure to other people’s relationships, wealth, and success, jealousy has become one of the defining but least honestly discussed emotions of adulthood.—
Meehika Barua,
Time,
29 May 2026
-
By employing his knowledge of advanced technology to achieve his goal of crafting a spaceship to transport life-giving water back to his dry planet, Newton creates enormous wealth for his insane aqua-ark idea.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
As with the murder of Clapham, this kind of symbolic aggression implies rage against British men as men.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
-
Using platforms from Chinese (manufacturers) seems to be the plan, but that implies a growing dependency on those companies.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Means.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/means. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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