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
François Candelon, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
Diet and exercise are modifiable, meaning someone has control over them.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 31 Oct. 2025
Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025
What does a rate cut mean for consumer savings?
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Corddry will play Diaz’s mean boss at a book store, while Duplass plays a nice guy, potential romantic interest.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Verb
This doesn’t mean human collaboration becomes obsolete.
—François Candelon, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
Diet and exercise are modifiable, meaning someone has control over them.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
Smith noted that staying relevant means evolving beyond traditional print.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025
What does a rate cut mean for consumer savings?
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
An art retreat is a lot like summer camp, only without the mean girls, color war and lights out after taps.
—Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Corddry will play Diaz’s mean boss at a book store, while Duplass plays a nice guy, potential romantic interest.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mean
Verb
-
According to Accenture’s 2025 Pulse of Change report, 27% of organizations are already investing in AI agents across multiple parts of their enterprises, signifying the real value AI is creating.—
Daniel Kendzior,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
-
While the northern portion of the eyewall began moving ashore earlier on Tuesday morning, landfall signifies the moment when a hurricane's center crosses the shore onto land.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Oct. 2025
-
But what matters is how such issues are addressed.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The org intends to continue anniversary events throughout the coming year.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Congressional Republicans, who voted for the caps, say they are intended to stem a sharp rise in federal student lending over the past two decades that has driven the cost of attendance higher.—
Kff Health News,
Oc Register,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The two companies remain in talks, although neither company indicated when customers can expect programming to resume.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Whenever the data clearly indicates that one alternative is superior to all the others — but never before that point — a scientific revolution is likely to follow.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And with Miller sidelined until at least the middle of the month, the Hornets will need James to keep filling in at a respectable clip in order to maintain things as much as possible given Miller’s importance as a two-way player, allowing Lee to put him on some of the opposition’s top talent.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Brown, a transfer from North Dakota State, plays a similar style to Fletcher — a bruiser, physical, run-up-the-middle running back.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
That’s what all that computing equipment is in the shed doing.—
Caroline Mimbs Nyce,
New Yorker,
30 Oct. 2025
-
That is the doing of CEO Robin Vince.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The process, carried out by regional district councils and overseen by the national office, requires disgraced pastors to step away from ministry for at least a year and undergo Christian counseling, according to a 135-page restoration handbook obtained by NBC News.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Others may end up in health care sharing ministries, in which people pitch in for other peoples’ medical costs, but which sometimes do not cover preexisting conditions.—
Alana Semuels,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
On the first day of November, the final score — Los Angeles Dodgers 5, Toronto Blue Jays 4 in 11 innings — did not sufficiently capture what felt like a month’s worth of tension and drama.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
In 2024, almost 3 billion euros’ worth of products were exported to the country, half of which were fragrances.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mean. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share