1
as in sense
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action
the unmistakable meaning of the skier's upraised arms as he finished his spectacular run
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in purpose
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish
the people have a right to know what the president's meaning is in getting the nation involved in this war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in suggestive
clearly conveying a special meaning (as one's mood)
gave me a meaning look after I said that
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in denoting
to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind
the national anthem means various things to various people
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in weighing
to be of importance
your presence at my graduation would mean a lot to me
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in planning
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
I mean to win this race
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in indicating
to serve as a sign or symptom of
these colder nights mean autumn has truly arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of meaning
Ryan Brennan
april 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
Linguists and etymologists say that, over time, a playful type of humor has sometimes watered down the word's meaning.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 8 Apr. 2026
Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
For Robell Awake, the chair is a meaning-laden object, symbolic of rest, a stand-in for the human body, a reflection of historical power dynamics.
—Felicia Feaster, AJC.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
Stewart writes that the opening comes on the heels of Netflix moving to new bases in both Brazil and Mexico, meaning shiny new HQs in each of its three main production centers in Latin America.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for meaning
Noun
That dual meaning gave it a strange universality.
—Ryan Brennan
april 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
Linguists and etymologists say that, over time, a playful type of humor has sometimes watered down the word's meaning.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
To see you as a newborn child and then to look at you and to know that every step along the way, to witness that journey, is the most meaning aspect of my life.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
For Robell Awake, the chair is a meaning-laden object, symbolic of rest, a stand-in for the human body, a reflection of historical power dynamics.
—Felicia Feaster, AJC.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
Others suggest inflation may merely be allowed to trend higher, meaning the real value of the debt is eroded over time.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
Stewart writes that the opening comes on the heels of Netflix moving to new bases in both Brazil and Mexico, meaning shiny new HQs in each of its three main production centers in Latin America.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for meaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meaning
Noun
-
The story is something of a palimpsest, with Romvari’s own perspective intertwining with the character’s and conveying a sense of being both inside and outside the action.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
What’s left is a false sense of urgency that will lead to a budget finalized mostly in the dark, with too many decisions made by staffers and lobbyists.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
What's new is using criminal prosecutors for partisan purposes -- and there's no quotes about that in the case.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
That is leading people to lean on their faith for meaning and purpose.—
Marissa Sulek,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
According to a screenshot of the DMs in question, which TMZ obtained, the sender, who seemingly initiated the correspondence, sent a handful of suggestive messages to the Carpenter account.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
-
For now, however, the evidence remains suggestive rather than definitive.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Their jump wings had the tiny inlaid gold stars denoting combat jumps.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The Yemeni Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for an airstrike launched at Israel, denoting their entry into the Iran war following weeks of holding out on attacks.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Jackson County Legislature is currently weighing an ordinance that would set a 120-day moratorium on any land use applications that propose building a data center in county limits.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The underground excavation machine, weighing around 500 tons, is designed to dig vertical shafts through solid rock at depths previously difficult to reach using conventional mining techniques.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One of the men accused of planning a mass shooting at a Pontiac, Michigan, high school graduation last June learned his fate in court on Tuesday.—
Alysia Burgio,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Lively seems to be planning a dragon attack, as referenced in her lengthy statement released after Baldoni's recent court win.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The most recent union updates signaled progress, but nothing indicating a strike would be prevented.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Minnesota is 11-40-4-2, the last two numbers indicating overtime losses and shootout losses.—
Tris Wykes,
Twin Cities,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Yet Monday’s flyby — the first time humans had reached the moon since 1972 — held emotional significance for the crew and space enthusiasts beyond the mission’s technical objectives.—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The true significance of Pakistan's intervention only became clear when both sides agreed to a pause shortly after a down-to-the-wire plea from the country's prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif.—
Betsy Joles,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Meaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meaning. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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