MEAN Synonyms: 803 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

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

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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

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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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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mean

3 of 4

adjective (1)

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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mean

4 of 4

adjective (2)

ˈmēn

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 careful

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

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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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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 inferior

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

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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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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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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

Examples of mean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

What would a Harris presidency mean for the stock market? —

Max Zahn, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2024 It's all meant to service the thing that is loved initially, and that's the intention that everyone has going into it. —

EW.com, 22 Oct. 2024

Noun

However, some parents may consider it as a long-term financial planning tool or a means to cover unexpected funeral expenses. —

Juan Carlos Medina, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 The suit paints a picture of Phillips as someone to whom WWE gave unfettered access to kids and the means to abuse them, such as private locker rooms. —

David Bixenspan, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Glamorous, serious, intellectual, playful – with a mean, sleek cat sitting on her writing desk amongst the flowers, all of them bathed in a glowing arc of French light. —

Hazlitt, 2 Oct. 2024 For these reasons, the mean household income (which is the same as average household income) dataset is crucial because the Census Bureau has exact figures for it. —

Andrew Depietro, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mean

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mean.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.