Synonyms of mean
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as in to signify 
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as in to matter
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as in to intend
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as in to indicate
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as in cruel
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as in dirty
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as in low
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as in stingy
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as in inferior
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as in great
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as in dilapidated
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as in lame
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as in average
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as in middle
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as in doing
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as in ministry
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as in worth
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1
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
2
as in to matter
to be of importance
your presence at my graduation would mean a lot to me
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3
as in to intend
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
I mean to win this race
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1
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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2
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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3
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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4
as in stingy
giving or sharing as little as possible
a mean child who hoarded all her toys
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5
as in inferior
of little or less value or merit
it's no mean feat to memorize that long poem
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6
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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7
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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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
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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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1
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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2
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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3
as in ministry
means plural
something used to achieve an end
the ends don't justify the means
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4
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of mean
Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 22 Jan. 2026
These patterns, Franz explains, reflect how moments meant for change can also amplify existing risk factors if support is not in place.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
Even the bigger, darker, meaner Ben is just too gosh-darn precious and cuddle-worthy to inspire any latent ancestral paranoia of the Bubonic Plague — at least, from me.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2026
Sarah Healy Eagan, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
As part of the litigation, Snyder-Hill and his co-plaintiffs have sought to depose Wexner and recently won court approval to subpoena him through alternative means after his attorney refused to accept service and other efforts proved futile.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mean
Verb
For the most part, pots are meant to hold one plant, whereas planters can have two or more.
—Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 22 Jan. 2026
These patterns, Franz explains, reflect how moments meant for change can also amplify existing risk factors if support is not in place.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The internet has gotten even messier, meaner and angrier in the years since, where something as innocuous as a 2016 photo can inspire bad-faith commentary.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
Even the bigger, darker, meaner Ben is just too gosh-darn precious and cuddle-worthy to inspire any latent ancestral paranoia of the Bubonic Plague — at least, from me.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2026
Noun
So what does all of this mean for children?
—Sarah Healy Eagan, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
As part of the litigation, Snyder-Hill and his co-plaintiffs have sought to depose Wexner and recently won court approval to subpoena him through alternative means after his attorney refused to accept service and other efforts proved futile.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mean
Verb
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The American Heart Association said ASCVD can refer to a slew of conditions, including coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease — which can also signify a transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Too often, that nickname signifies a resistance to necessary change.—
Lou Rinaldi,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That honesty matters in workplaces too.—
Jasmine Browley,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Augmentation pulls teachers, case managers, and maintenance workers away from their core duties, eroding programs intended to reduce recidivism and maintain humane conditions.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Prosecutors allege the defendants sold meal packs intended for vulnerable families overseas and exchanged millions in benefits for cash.—
Jennifer Nassour,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The complaint indicates the Federal Bureau of Investigation believes Le fled to Vietnam to avoid consequences in the United States after the shooting.—
Sierra van der Brug,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
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Some figures indicated that iPhone users were still avoiding upgrading despite this risk, citing multiple bugs and the controversial Liquid Glass as a reason for staying on an insecure operating system version.—
Kate O'Flaherty,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Wednesday isn't the most common cleaning day, but the middle of the week is a good opportunity to check some important tasks off of your household to do list.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
13 Jan. 2026
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He was born in Chicago in 1936, the middle of three boys.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The nation was to be purged of continual sin not indeed all of its own doing—due partly to its inheritance; and yet a sin, a negation that gave the world the right to sneer at the pretensions of this republic.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
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Fueled by journalism that informs and inspires, Forbes spotlights the doers and doings shaping industries, achieving success and making an impact on the world.—
Forbes Press Releases,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Rising premiums can push some toward cheaper alternatives, like health care sharing ministries, where members pay a monthly fee to cover one another's medical expenses.—
Mahsa Saeidi,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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The rule of law largely operates, elections are free and fair, and white politicians hold major cabinet ministries.—
Eve Fairbanks,
The Dial,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Nonprofits are required to turn over up to three years' worth of forms to anyone who asks, but experts suggest taking it a step further and posting them online.—
Andrea Lucia,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
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The majority of his net worth is tied up in shares of Workday, followed by cash and real estate holdings.—
Martina Di Licosa,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mean. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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