a means to an end
noun phrase
: something done only to produce a desired result
Computers have always been a means to an end for [George] Lucas: telling stories.—
David A. Kaplan
David A. KaplanExamples of a means to an end in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In all the performing arts, people find their methods as a means to an end.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
Big Tech CEOs’ rightward shift may have tempered Trump’s desire to crack down on them, but more likely, the White House sees antitrust enforcement as a means to an end, and has more politically valuable ends in mind than promoting competition.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Reparations are a means to an end; repair is the end.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Time travel is more a means to an end in Outlander, but there is still an expansive timeline and lots of characters moving around to keep track of.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for a means to an end
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Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
Big Tech CEOs’ rightward shift may have tempered Trump’s desire to crack down on them, but more likely, the White House sees antitrust enforcement as a means to an end, and has more politically valuable ends in mind than promoting competition.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Reparations are a means to an end; repair is the end.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Time travel is more a means to an end in Outlander, but there is still an expansive timeline and lots of characters moving around to keep track of.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for a means to an end
Cite this Entry
“A means to an end.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20means%20to%20an%20end. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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