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
Because to me, things like nullify and void have definite meanings.
—
Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
This produces an incredibly dense representation of usages and meanings, in which analogy becomes a matter of geometry.
—James Somers, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Since the lyrics don’t specifically mention Harbour, any possible suit would also have to go into the meanings of the lyrics.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 30 Oct. 2025
In the end, 65 languages were tested, three native speakers for each, to ensure no unintended meanings slipped through.
—Anthony Shore, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Sometimes, Death in the Family seems to be saying that our attempt to assign deeper meanings to acts of violence obfuscates how mean or petty human nature can be.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Harriet Armstrong considers the meanings of lol.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
Colors and patterns have very specific meanings in hoodoo.
—Essence, 21 Oct. 2025
As the cowboy image has come to take on these meanings, Republicans’ use of it to gain political favor is well-documented.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
This produces an incredibly dense representation of usages and meanings, in which analogy becomes a matter of geometry.
—James Somers, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Since the lyrics don’t specifically mention Harbour, any possible suit would also have to go into the meanings of the lyrics.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 30 Oct. 2025
In the end, 65 languages were tested, three native speakers for each, to ensure no unintended meanings slipped through.
—Anthony Shore, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Sometimes, Death in the Family seems to be saying that our attempt to assign deeper meanings to acts of violence obfuscates how mean or petty human nature can be.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Harriet Armstrong considers the meanings of lol.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
Colors and patterns have very specific meanings in hoodoo.
—Essence, 21 Oct. 2025
As the cowboy image has come to take on these meanings, Republicans’ use of it to gain political favor is well-documented.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meanings
Noun
-
There are few places in America where climate change is made more obvious to the senses than in Miami.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
-
This feels somewhat odd to say — hearing is one of the five senses, surely listening has always been having a bit of a moment?—
Jodi McAlister,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
These innovations can be used for a variety of purposes, including assisting humans with tasks, conducting research, or performing dangerous or tedious jobs.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The current policy, last revised in 2010, allows students to possess electronic devices during the school day but prohibits their use unless approved for educational purposes.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The contents show the frantic communication from men in the field back to Goudreau, confirming the chaotic events described by Cacique.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The Martian atmosphere presents a major obstacle to safely and precisely landing on the surface, and also hinders any attempts to return contents (or people) back to Earth.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The observatory is conducting a ten-year-long survey of the southern sky, dubbed the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, which has as one of its principal goals improving our understanding of the nature of both dark energy and dark matter.—
Ian Randall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Coming into his 21st season in the league, Ovechkin needed three goals to become the inaugural member of the 900 club.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But her lusty eyes roving over the musclebound gunslinger soon to be known as Igor (Cal Bolder) betray her true intentions.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The show follows the unlikely relationship between agnostic podcaster Joanne (Bell) and rabbi Noah (Brody), as Foster revealed her specific intentions with Brody’s character this time around.—
Kirsten Chuba,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But this search for ideas and solutions will only work if it can be simply communicated to the players.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Stick with who, whom, and whose for people (and animals who have names) and that and which for things and ideas.—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
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
Noun
-
Many clubs across the English football pyramid, such as Manchester City and Leeds United, have posted on their websites about their Remembrance Day plans for this weekend.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
-
While it's left some passengers making backup plans and reserving rental cars, the flights canceled Friday represented just a small portion of overall flights nationwide.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Meanings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meanings. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share