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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of meaning
Nicole Russell, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
None of that at all impacts the fact that the plain meaning of the 14th Amendment has been clear since the amendment’s adoption in the aftermath of the Civil War.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 1 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
Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 3 Apr. 2026
However, the fingerprint of that photo is now completely new, meaning the hashing technology doesn’t recognize it as the same photo with just that one pixel difference.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for meaning
Noun
We are all loved by God and without that, life would have little meaning or purpose.
—Nicole Russell, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
None of that at all impacts the fact that the plain meaning of the 14th Amendment has been clear since the amendment’s adoption in the aftermath of the Civil War.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 1 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
Abel came on in relief in that game, meaning Saturday will mark his first start of the season.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 3 Apr. 2026
However, the fingerprint of that photo is now completely new, meaning the hashing technology doesn’t recognize it as the same photo with just that one pixel difference.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for meaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meaning
Noun
-
A little bit of that football mindset in the sense of you just got to go 1-0 that day.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Mar. 2026
-
It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The robotic characters break free from their restaurant resting place to cause chaos in town, while the villainous Marionette pops up to possess victims for her own nefarious purposes.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Trump has not only stolen top-secret government files, apparently for business purposes but used his office to harass and investigate his political targets.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 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
-
Lawmakers are now weighing how to balance climate goals with the need to maintain a stable and affordable fuel supply to power the present.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
For CFOs weighing corporate footprint decisions, Griffin’s Miami playbook offers a compelling case study.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After suffering a brutal knockout at UFC Seattle, Maycee Barber is already planning her comeback.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Browne’s family is planning an event honoring him in mid-May.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One skeleton estimated at 10,000–12,000 years old was surrounded by evidence of bonfires, possibly indicating funerary rituals involving light.—
Ryan Brennan
April 4,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
-
His images show Kathrin standing in a dark blazer, flanked by security guards, next to a sign indicating that photography is forbidden.—
Simon Akam,
Vanity Fair,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos acknowledged the significance of that fact, saying there’s no one more deserving of that honor than Sale.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Its personal significance is trumpeted by the fact that Haghighi plays one of the two lead roles, a man named Kaveh who is being driven by a woman, Leila (Taraneh Alidoosti), to a remote, wintry mountain region.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Meaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meaning. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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