Synonyms of mean
-
as in to signify 
-
as in to matter
-
as in to intend
-
as in to indicate
-
as in middle
-
as in doing
-
as in ministry
-
as in worth
-
as in average
-
as in low
-
as in stingy
-
as in cruel
-
as in dirty
-
as in inferior
-
as in awesome
-
as in dilapidated
-
as in lame
-
Synonym Chooser
-
Example Sentences
-
Phrases Containing
-
Entries Near
-
Related Articles
1
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
2
as in to matter
to be of importance
your presence at my graduation would mean a lot to me
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to intend
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
I mean to win this race
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in middle
a middle point between extremes
that candidate's moderate views were seen as the mean that voters were looking for
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in doing
means plural
an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result
won the competition by fair and honest means
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in ministry
means plural
something used to achieve an end
the ends don't justify the means
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in worth
means plural
the total of one's money and property
a woman of considerable means
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stingy
giving or sharing as little as possible
a mean child who hoarded all her toys
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dirty
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
a mean trick to play on a trusting person
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in inferior
of little or less value or merit
it's no mean feat to memorize that long poem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
he worked hard to escape the mean neighborhood of his youth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025
But that doesn’t mean that ICE agents still can’t stop motorists.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2025
George Laws Garcia, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2025
Government civil cases and class action lawsuits are common means to protect consumers’ rights when encountering false advertising, discrepancy and any other violation.
—Tina Chen, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 23 July 2025
This includes a measure of the average size of your red blood cells called mean corpuscular volume (MCV).
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Verb
His appointment means there will be three vacant seats in the Senate.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025
But that doesn’t mean that ICE agents still can’t stop motorists.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
It should be determined by the people, through democratic means — not symbolic concerts.
—George Laws Garcia, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2025
Government civil cases and class action lawsuits are common means to protect consumers’ rights when encountering false advertising, discrepancy and any other violation.
—Tina Chen, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
One is a mysterious young woman with some mean kung fu skills who has just arrived from China in the Italian capital in search of her missing sister; the other is the son of an indebted local restaurant owner who has disappeared with his lover.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 23 July 2025
This includes a measure of the average size of your red blood cells called mean corpuscular volume (MCV).
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mean
Verb
-
This year, the movement is spreading across the league as there is a drastic rise in the number of Raise Awareness for Mental Health Games, signifying a cultural shift: mental health is no longer a side conversation in professional football.—
Brook Choulet,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
The sturgeon moon signifies people harvesting and preparing for fall.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Browse the lawsuits by topic, find articles on the lawsuits or issues at hand, and find out why these cases matter to California.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
13 Aug. 2025
-
And that in itself is a form of resistance: this constant asking of questions and seeing what really matters.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
That said, when asked about their five-year plans, more family offices intended to increase rather than decrease their allocations to private equity and other private assets.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Instead of selling reactors, Oklo intends to provide electricity through long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs), overseeing operations from construction to output.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Court documents indicated that there were at least four other co-conspirators, including Larry Conner, Roderick Prescott, Suzanne Thompson, and Weldon Wulstein.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
The worst of it, of course, came around the time of their divorce when rumors indicated there was cheating from both sides.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
That race is far from over as the calendar approaches the middle of August, but this group of relievers help the Mets catch them.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Rural India might seem like the middle of nowhere to someone who has never been to Uttar Pradesh.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Later, once a series of gory doings propels matters into prime horror territory, the movie takes an altogether different path, a supernatural one.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
8 Aug. 2025
-
But the budget problem is not just Springfield’s doing.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
The youth unemployment rate in urban areas, among those aged 15 to 29 years, also spiked to nearly 19% from 17.9% in May, and 17.2% in April, according to the statistics ministry.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Newsweek reached out to the foreign ministries of France and Israel outside of normal business hours on Saturday afternoon for comment.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Their combined net worth rocketed 74% to $1.6 billion as shares of Converge got a massive boost, partly from the government’s efforts to increase internet access across the archipelago.—
Jane Ho,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
On Friday, May 2nd, 2025, DOGE and the National Endowment for the Arts terminated $300,000 worth of grants for 51 publishers.—
Elizabeth Kaye Cook
August 6,
Literary Hub,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mean. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share