meanings

noun

plural of meaning
1
as in senses
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 purposes
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

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 meanings The expression has different meanings across cultures, rarely referring to its literal translation. — Annika Pham, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 Carlson’s essay offers a deeper look at the elaborate symbolic language surrounding 22, A Million, including the meanings behind the album’s unusual song titles and iconography. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 30 Sep. 2026 The terms adjourned and continued are similar but have distinct meanings. — Michael Ruiz , Kayleigh McEnany , Bryan Llenas, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2026 Artist Jitish Kallat has been fascinated for years with the meanings of space exploration. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026 The name Adepoju translates to meanings of royalty and abundance in the Nigerian Yoruba language. — Pj Green september 16, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026 Much of the text is in verse and packed with double meanings. — Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026 All of these entries are words with obvious alternate meanings. — Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 12 Sep. 2026 Ambiguity, subtext, double meanings, and metaphor course through all of them. — Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meanings
  1. senses
  2. purposes
  3. contents
  4. goals
  5. intentions
  6. ideas
  7. significances
  8. plans
Noun
  • Read Full Review Designed to tie in the five elements and the five senses, this Greek idyll is built into a mountain and has a large spherical pool as its physical and spiritual center.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • When our skin senses heat, those signals travel to a primitive part of the brain that tells our body to cool down.
    — Will Stone, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of senses
Noun
  • On a blistering surprise EP, Deafheaven find the vicious attack and grandiose drama of symphonic black metal perfectly suited to their purposes.
    — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The area, for all intents and purposes, has always functioned as the back of the museum.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of purposes
Noun
  • They’re trained on the contents of the entire internet, learning which words should attend to which other words in all sorts of contexts.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the food service steam table and hot box had the opposite problem — unable to keep its food contents at or above 135 degrees.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of contents
Noun
  • The association reiterated its support for SB 707’s textile circularity goals while challenging CalRecycle’s choice of the organization tasked with implementing them.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • That took Chelsea to six goals inside the first seven minutes of games this season, something no Premier League side has previously managed across any six-game spell.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of goals
Noun
  • His intentions are not to land a joke in between the lines of these structures.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Or is Lee something darker and more dangerous, driven by anger and fear, while coasting on charisma and good intentions?
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of intentions
Noun
  • When teams stay genuinely curious and learn to challenge ideas without challenging people, disagreement becomes a tool for better thinking and can actually strengthen trust.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Santoyo supports meeting regularly with students and the community to exchange ideas and concerns.
    — Sophia Veneziano, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of ideas
Noun
  • Factors In Kenya’s Sovereign Credit Rating Rise There are usually multiple significances to a credit rating action.
    — Ann Rutledge, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Definition of significances
Noun
  • The new plans bring the group’s total billboards across those three states to more than 350.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Several lawmakers, including Republicans, have spoken out against plans to broadcast the execution.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of plans

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meaninglessness
meanings
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Cite this Entry

“Meanings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meanings. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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