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mean

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noun

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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

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adjective (1)

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adjective (2)

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word mean distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of mean are average, median, and norm. While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes.

a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°

In what contexts can average take the place of mean?

Although the words average and mean have much in common, average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures.

scored an average of 85 on tests

When could median be used to replace mean?

While the synonyms median and mean are close in meaning, median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below.

average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars

When is it sensible to use norm instead of mean?

The words norm and mean can be used in similar contexts, but norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade.

scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

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
Verb
Despite a sentence that will likely mean spending the rest of her life in prison, Melody remains determined to prove her innocence. Susan Mallie, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2025 Twice a day, smoke rises from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, signaling the outcome of each vote: black smoke means no decision has been made, while white smoke signals that a new pope has been elected. Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
Living below your means Many TikTokers are vowing to do one thing: limit their spending. Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 27 Apr. 2025 America continues to fear strong Black men who come from means and have a strong sense of themselves without submitting to the 'dominant' culture. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Monitor performance using mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). Devadas Pattathil, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 Larsa Pippen found out the hard way what life is like in the mean ‘burbs. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mean
Verb
  • During the era of the former Prince Regent, colour was used as a status symbol and the decadent colour scheme employed by his interior designers– from opulent gold to aristocratic purple–was a status symbol used by the aristocracy to signify wealth and good taste.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • An all-women Blue Origin spaceflight signifies only that several women have amassed the social capital to be friends with Lauren Sánchez.
    Amanda Hess, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Thirty-one percent of young men said the economy matters most to them at this time, but the largest share of Gen Z women, 22%, said threats to democracy were their top issue.
    Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Honestly, the fact that these ballet heels are more than approved by one of the most prolific young actors on the scene is irrevocable proof that age doesn't matter at all in fashion.
    María Munsuri, Glamour, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The information provided here is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
    Scott Paddock, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • How is this playing out in 2025? California leaders say that their sanctuary policies are intended to ensure undocumented immigrants can live in their communities without fear of deportation.
    Soumya Karlamangla, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • McFarland claimed 2,000 tickets were available for the festival, but shared permits indicated that only space for 250 people had been obtained.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Initial findings indicate that all victims were employees of J&B Malunggay Bakery and were residing in the premises.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Burden plays bigger than his 5-11 frame and has good speed to work in the middle of the field.
    Nate Taylor, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Sitting in the middle can really suck the joy out of travel.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • At a minimum doing so would open up business opportunities.
    Jonathan Swan, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • This is a recovery and isn’t the doing of a president, whether Republican or Democratic.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Modi held a meeting with the national security adviser, the foreign minister and other senior officials at the airport and a special security cabinet meeting had been called for 1230 GMT, a defence ministry official said.
    Fayaz Bukhari, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • While condolences from the government are ultimately expected – likely via a foreign ministry spokesperson per precedent – China’s minimalist response underscores the sensitivity of ties between the atheist ruling Communist Party and the Holy See.
    Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • All teenagers’ brains crave autonomy, connection with peers, and validation of their worth.
    Cyndy Etler, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The two countries exchange more than eight hundred billion dollars’ worth of goods a year, and industries throughout the U.S. rely on Mexican labor.
    Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mean. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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