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
Remember that wealth is not an end but a means to an end.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024
Because millions of immigrants lacked status, policy discussions revolved around legalization; heightened security at the border was a means to an end.
—Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2024
The data should be a means to an end, though, not a source of validation in its own right.
—Samantha Kleinberg, STAT, 8 Jan. 2024
Her appearance in Mean Girls: The Musical was a means to an end tied to her biggest goals as an artist.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 2023
Through the alignment of self-interest and social good, the pursuit of innovation, ethical considerations and the recognition of wealth as a means to an end, impact investing exemplifies a vision of a prosperous and socially responsible market economy.
—Praveen Vetrivel, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
Apartments, we’re told, were once a means to an end, to getting a larger home.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 Nov. 2023
Working as a journalist covering the police beat in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Michael Connelly believed his reporter’s job would be a means to an end in becoming a best-selling author one day.
—Demetrius Patterson, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Oct. 2023
Facts were not clues to a puzzle, a means to an end.
—Jonathan Malesic, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2023
Melissa Houston, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024
Because millions of immigrants lacked status, policy discussions revolved around legalization; heightened security at the border was a means to an end.
—Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2024
The data should be a means to an end, though, not a source of validation in its own right.
—Samantha Kleinberg, STAT, 8 Jan. 2024
Her appearance in Mean Girls: The Musical was a means to an end tied to her biggest goals as an artist.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 2023
Through the alignment of self-interest and social good, the pursuit of innovation, ethical considerations and the recognition of wealth as a means to an end, impact investing exemplifies a vision of a prosperous and socially responsible market economy.
—Praveen Vetrivel, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
Apartments, we’re told, were once a means to an end, to getting a larger home.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 Nov. 2023
Working as a journalist covering the police beat in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Michael Connelly believed his reporter’s job would be a means to an end in becoming a best-selling author one day.
—Demetrius Patterson, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Oct. 2023
Facts were not clues to a puzzle, a means to an end.
—Jonathan Malesic, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'a means to an end.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 18 Apr. 2024.
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