MEAN Synonyms: 801 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'mean' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of mean are average , median , and norm . While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes. // a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°

Q: In what contexts can 'average' take the place of 'mean'?

Although the words average and mean have much in common, average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures. // scored an average of 85 on tests

Q: When could 'median' be used to replace 'mean'?

While the synonyms median and mean are close in meaning, median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below. // average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars

Q: When is it sensible to use 'norm' instead of 'mean'?

The words norm and mean can be used in similar contexts, but norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade. // scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

Q: How is the word 'mean' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of mean are average , median , and norm . While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes. // a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°

Q: In what contexts can 'average' take the place of 'mean'?

Although the words average and mean have much in common, average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures. // scored an average of 85 on tests

Q: When could 'median' be used to replace 'mean'?

While the synonyms median and mean are close in meaning, median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below. // average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars

Q: When is it sensible to use 'norm' instead of 'mean'?

The words norm and mean can be used in similar contexts, but norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade. // scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

Q: How is the word 'mean' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of mean are average , median , and norm . While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes. // a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°

Q: In what contexts can 'average' take the place of 'mean'?

Although the words average and mean have much in common, average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures. // scored an average of 85 on tests

mean 1 of 4

verb

ˈmēn

Definition of mean next

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

as in to matter

to be of importance your presence at my graduation would mean a lot to me

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as in to intend

to have in mind as a purpose or goal I mean to win this race

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as in to indicate

to serve as a sign or symptom of these colder nights mean autumn has truly arrived

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mean

2 of 4

adjective (1)

ˈmēn

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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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as in stingy

giving or sharing as little as possible a mean child who hoarded all her toys

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as in inferior

of little or less value or merit it's no mean feat to memorize that long poem

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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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mean

3 of 4

adjective (2)

ˈmēn

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mean

4 of 4

noun

ˈmēn

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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as in ministry

means plural something used to achieve an end the ends don't justify the means

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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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mean distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of mean are average, median, and norm. While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes.

a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°

In what contexts can average take the place of mean?

Although the words average and mean have much in common, average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures.

scored an average of 85 on tests

When could median be used to replace mean?

While the synonyms median and mean are close in meaning, median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below.

average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars

When is it sensible to use norm instead of mean?

The words norm and mean can be used in similar contexts, but norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade.

scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

How is the word mean distinct from other similar nouns?

a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°

In what contexts can average take the place of mean?

Although the words average and mean have much in common, average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures.

scored an average of 85 on tests

When could median be used to replace mean?

While the synonyms median and mean are close in meaning, median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below.

average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars

When is it sensible to use norm instead of mean?

The words norm and mean can be used in similar contexts, but norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade.

scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

How is the word mean distinct from other similar nouns?

a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°

In what contexts can average take the place of mean?

Although the words average and mean have much in common, average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures.

scored an average of 85 on tests

When could median be used to replace mean?

While the synonyms median and mean are close in meaning, median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below.

average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars

When is it sensible to use norm instead of mean?

The words norm and mean can be used in similar contexts, but norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade.

scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

How is the word mean distinct from other similar nouns?

a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°

In what contexts can average take the place of mean?

Although the words average and mean have much in common, average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures.

scored an average of 85 on tests

When could median be used to replace mean?

While the synonyms median and mean are close in meaning, median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below.

average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars

When is it sensible to use norm instead of mean?

The words norm and mean can be used in similar contexts, but norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade.

scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

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

Verb

Director Coerte Voorhees confirmed that the role was always meant for Kilmer. —

Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026 Marble Canyon is also the closest base camp to Lees Ferry, the only practical launch point for multi-day Colorado River rafting trips, which means the property functions as both the beginning and, ideally, the very happy ending of something considerably larger. —

Kevin Sintumuang, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026

Adjective

That person — a sunny, daffy, confection of trashy Southern ridiculousness — is just not a mean person. —

Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026 Dating back to over 150 years to French mathematician Pierre Ossian Bonnet, the rule said that if two key properties of a surface, its metric and mean curvature, are known at every point, the surface’s overall shape can be uniquely determined. —

Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 13 Mar. 2026

Noun

Fall in the South means taking advantage of the bounty of fresh produce which, of course, includes butternut squash. —

Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026 The live-action adaptation is based on the long-running manga and anime franchise created by Oda, and the sheer volume of source material remaining means the show has many major arcs left to cover. —

Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mean

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mean

Verb

Based on this data, the rally to start this week may not signify the lows have been hit yet.

— Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
Even a few drops could signify a big problem.

— Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026

Definition of signify

Cite this Entry

Style

“Mean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mean. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

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Last Updated: 21 Mar 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of mean

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Synonyms of mean

verb

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adjective (2)

noun

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Phrases Containing mean

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