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 careful
-
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 careful
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
Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
Controlling a fire means ensuring that the fire can't spread or cross the containment line.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 2 June 2025
Mainstream hybrids and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) like the Toyota Prius still rely on combustion engines as their main means of propulsion.
—Joe D'allegro, CNBC, 30 May 2025
Clare Morell, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
For these reasons, the mean household income (which is the same as average household income) dataset is crucial because the Census Bureau has exact figures for it.
—Andrew Depietro, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Verb
Although research has shown that wet hair stretches more than dry hair before breaking, Erdogan clarified that this doesn’t mean the hair is more flexible and resilient.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
Controlling a fire means ensuring that the fire can't spread or cross the containment line.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
Noun
Having ditched the Conservative government's plan to send migrants who arrived in the U.K. by unauthorized means to Rwanda, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his government would get control by smashing the gangs and the business models that sustain their smuggling operations.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 2 June 2025
Mainstream hybrids and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) like the Toyota Prius still rely on combustion engines as their main means of propulsion.
—Joe D'allegro, CNBC, 30 May 2025
Adjective
The Justices' other main line of questioning focused on what the technological changes over the last 20 years mean for how effective filtering technology is.
—Clare Morell, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
For these reasons, the mean household income (which is the same as average household income) dataset is crucial because the Census Bureau has exact figures for it.
—Andrew Depietro, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mean
Verb
-
With Bitcoin presently trading around $106,000, this signifies a solid 55% gain on their investment.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
The ink on his crown — a large number 6 — signifies his status as the sixth member of a small but increasingly visible community: a local band of barbers and tattoo artists who call themselves Viet Chicanos.—
Stephanie Yang,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
Versatile and relentless styles The systems aren’t necessarily identical, and that doesn’t really matter.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
-
By leveraging the right tools for your organization, your team can streamline workflows, foster collaboration and focus on what matters most: delivering impactful, high-quality work.—
Andrea Ruskin,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
The resulting images and video are intended to be used as reference files for the real thing, so that astronauts and imaging technicians can better understand what camera settings to use, and how large the resulting image or video files might be when transmitted.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
4 June 2025
-
The period is intended to prevent market manipulation and to ensure potential investors receive relevant information from the company’s prospectus.—
Ron Hurtibise,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Generally, during the summer months, dew points of 55 degrees or lower indicate a dry and comfortable feel.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2025
-
In previous years, rent also rose faster in these areas compared with the rest of the county, but the gap grew post-fires, which experts said indicates the fires are the likely cause.—
Phi Do,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Using the middle of the ice for outlets has been effective for the Oilers, but Florida will have scouted Edmonton, and new wrinkles may be required.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
-
He wasn't activated until the middle of April, and made just seven appearances this season, not allowing a run in 5.2 innings of work.—
Noah Camras,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
When McCartney arrives on stage – by which point the audience has already experienced some pretty nasty doings – his young Henry a shy, nerdy but somehow vaguely threatening high school kid.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
12 May 2025
-
What these companies understand—perhaps better than many Silicon Valley disruptors—is that the most powerful learning doesn't come from passive watching but from active doing.—
Jennifer Jay Palumbo,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
According to the Mexican foreign ministry, 42 Mexican citizens were arrested in the recent raids, 37 men and five women.—
Patrick J. McDonnell,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
-
Thailand's foreign ministry said the bodies of two other citizens were yet to be retrieved.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 June 2025
Noun
-
So if all four were released during the same hour, 350 Colorado counted that as four hours’ worth of permit violations.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
7 June 2025
-
This week, the cut reaches a major milestone, hitting 520 frames on the Rock Digital Song Sales chart — a full decade's worth of charting.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mean. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share