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
Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 25 Feb. 2026
The ritual depends for its meaning, however, on certain standards of behavior.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 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
Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
The polling has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points, meaning sentiment toward Israelis and Palestinians are roughly even.
—Linley Sanders, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for meaning
Noun
Kentridge coauthored a previous study on artifacts from the same period that bear similar markings, in which researchers attempted to decipher the meaning of the signs.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 25 Feb. 2026
The ritual depends for its meaning, however, on certain standards of behavior.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 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
If the department verifies a high-risk situation, the bill instructs it to assign the case as Priority I, meaning the child is in immediate danger or in a life-threatening situation, and DHW takes action immediately, according to department guidelines outlined in the Idaho Child Protection Manual.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
The polling has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points, meaning sentiment toward Israelis and Palestinians are roughly even.
—Linley Sanders, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for meaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meaning
Noun
-
Staying here gives you a genuine sense of the city.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Kamaru’s album, unlike more conventionally soothing strains of ambient music, reflected that thrumming sense of disquiet.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Captures and killings of cartel leaders serve a strategic purpose of showing that something is being done, but the effectiveness of such policies in the long run is very limited.—
Angélica Durán-Martínez,
The Conversation,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The Idaho Majority Club’s website provided few details on the purpose of the event.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Wasserman rode on Epstein’s plane and exchanged suggestive messages with Maxwell, the files the DOJ released show.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
More disturbingly, some MAGA cultural warriors claimed to be disgusted by Bad Bunny’s suggestive dancing and called for his censorship, harking back to the 1950s, when emerging superstar Elvis Presley was shot by TV cameras from the waist up during his appearance at the Ed Sullivan show.—
Ediberto Roman,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When tax breaks for three-wheelers were curtailed, a 4/4 model—the name denoting its four wheels and four-cylinder engine—was launched.—
Jamie Kitman,
Air Mail,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Outstanding Chef is a national category, denoting a chef who has set high standards to the broader culinary culture.—
Brock Keeling,
Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Cities across North Texas are taking different directions on their future with Dallas Area Rapid Transit, with some backing away to leave the transit system, one still weighing its options and others moving forward with elections that could reshape regional transportation.—
Perry Majidi,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Lawmakers are weighing whether Connecticut should require signage warning of the dangers of energy drinks for children and teens.—
Mikayla Bunnell,
Hartford Courant,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The administration is planning to make that clear in issuing new regulations.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The position’s duties include planning and assigning the work of custodial staff; overseeing an accurate system of inmate count; supervising the movement of employees, inmates, and visitors; and inspecting incoming and outgoing vehicles, materials, and supplies for the presence of contraband.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
Updated February 24,
Sacbee.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
An Israeli official told the Times of Israel that the opening strikes were targeting Iranian regime sites and military facilities, likely indicating decapitation strikes.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Though the origins of the pictures weren’t quite clear at first, Gucci soon added a tag to the posts indicating that they had been generated using artificial intelligence – a bold choice when the use of the technology remains contentious, and one that left many commenters aghast.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As far as the historical significance of the game, the 16-point home defeat was only surpassed (in the Self era) by a 25-point loss to Texas in 2021, 23-point loss to TCU in 2023 and 18-point loss to Kentucky in 2022.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
21 Feb. 2026
-
What is the significance, or importance, of doing this?—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Meaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meaning. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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