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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Example Sentences
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Corbin Bolies, Variety, 10 June 2026
That meant that every visual decision had to be made with both color palettes in mind.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 June 2026
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 1 June 2026
Even the presence of Wolverine and Obi-Wan Kenobi was unable to protect the New York Sail Grand Prix from the effects of strong, gusty wind blasting out of the mean streets of Manhattan on Saturday.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Allison McClain Merrill, Parents, 8 June 2026
The end of a color-blind détente doesn’t justify the means of deliberate racial strife.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mean
Verb
Instead, it’s meant to showcase the power of Higgsfield’s technology, CEO Alex Mashrabov told me, not necessarily one of quality, and in that regard, the film merits recognition.
—Corbin Bolies, Variety, 10 June 2026
That meant that every visual decision had to be made with both color palettes in mind.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 June 2026
Adjective
The star has been the butt of too many mean jokes, the object of veneration and a muse for film and literary retellings that have elevated her into the realm of myth.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 1 June 2026
Even the presence of Wolverine and Obi-Wan Kenobi was unable to protect the New York Sail Grand Prix from the effects of strong, gusty wind blasting out of the mean streets of Manhattan on Saturday.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Noun
Adding a healthy twist to the magical premise, powers in Dragon Striker are meant to be employed for athletic means.
—Allison McClain Merrill, Parents, 8 June 2026
The end of a color-blind détente doesn’t justify the means of deliberate racial strife.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mean
Verb
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There were big moments for individuals Thursday night, including Dansby Swanson and Pete Crow-Armstrong, that could have signified turning points.—
Sahadev Sharma,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
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Their art signifies a collective trauma—mass death in the midst of life.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Good on South Africa for keeping things close, as every goal allowed will matter in the group stage.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
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Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The company has emphasized that the system is intended to improve speed, accuracy and experience for customers and crew, not replace jobs.—
ABC NEWS,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
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Harvey Steinberg, Cooper’s attorney, said the defense team doesn’t intend to file any motion to dismiss and wants the case to be heard by a jury.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The school official added that the University of Kentucky Police Department was working with the Lexington-Fayette County Coroner, and an initial investigation did not indicate that foul play was involved.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
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Coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have repeatedly indicated that Aiyuk is not expected to resume his career with the 49ers.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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Still, the simple story — written by Jordan Tannahill, who adapted his own book, and directed by Janicza Bravo — illustrates various destructive choices and cruel actions ostensibly driven by love.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
12 June 2026
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Here is the part that feels especially cruel.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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There are very few hints in art of dogs being dirty, vicious or rabid.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
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Merchants in fine suits rode in carriages or on sedan chairs while enslaved people lugging carts and crates wore dirty, threadbare clothing and could be publicly whipped or burned to death for misbehavior.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch noted their dissent and would have granted the state’s request to overturn the lower courts.—
Abigail Brooks,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
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The lobby bar, called The Living Room, was busy with groups of friends sipping hot toddies and Champagne at low tables and around the fireplace.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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Both can be selfish, and both can be hard to see clearly on your own.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
12 June 2026
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Maeve could be selfish and self-deluding.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mean. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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