Synonyms of meanly

meanly

adverb

1

as in humbly

in a manner showing no signs of pride or self-assertion

meanly silent up to that point, he now felt that fair criticism was turning into gratuitous insult

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humbly
• politely
• sheepishly
• abjectly
• deferentially
• submissively
• meekly
• lowly
• cap in hand
• modestly
• fearfully
• hat in hand
• obsequiously
• servilely
• timidly
• subserviently
• timorously
• diffidently
• bashfully
• shyly
• respectfully
• courteously
• civilly
• self-deprecatingly
• mousily
• suppliantly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• contemptuously
• scornfully
• boldly
• proudly
• arrogantly
• haughtily
• loftily
• superciliously
• presumptuously
• imperiously
• pompously
• brazenly
• pridefully
• pretentiously
• audaciously
• huffily
• brashly
• fearlessly
• disdainfully
• recklessly
• rashly
• impertinently
• disrespectfully
• rudely
• self-importantly
• swaggeringly
• saucily
• impudently
• uppishly
• discourteously
• ungraciously
• impolitely
• uncivilly
• bitchily

2

as in despitefully

in a mean or spiteful manner

in a meanly worded letter she told me that she never wanted to see me again

Synonyms & Similar Words

• despitefully
• hatefully
• villainously
• maliciously
• bitterly
• spitefully
• nastily
• viciously
• malevolently
• wickedly
• malignantly
• cattily
• hostilely
• virulently
• disagreeably
• venomously
• bitchily
• disdainfully
• contemptuously
• resentfully
• scornfully
• vindictively
• cruelly
• caustically
• obnoxiously
• unkindly
• antagonistically
• invidiously
• unfeelingly
• callously
• heartlessly
• mercilessly
• vituperatively
• enviously
• jealously
• ruthlessly
• pitilessly
• deprecatingly
• ungraciously
• balefully
• acrimoniously
• rancorously
• insensitively
• inhumanely
• ill
• felly
• inconsiderately
• thoughtlessly
• soullessly
• diabolically
• fiendishly
• envyingly
• hard-heartedly
• kindlessly
• evil-mindedly
• caddishly
• ill-naturedly
• misanthropically

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• kindly
• benevolently
• cordially
• agreeably
• pleasantly
• benignantly
• amiably
• graciously
• nicely
• affably
• genially
• thoughtfully
• lovingly
• feelingly
• humanely
• considerately
• altruistically
• sensitively
• good-naturedly
• good-humoredly
• solicitously
• sympathetically
• kindheartedly
• mercifully
• gently
• tenderly
• compassionately
• soulfully
• sweetly
• good-heartedly
• divinely
• angelically
• softheartedly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of meanly

Fortunately, there is the compelling, if meanly portrayed, character of Michael Berman, John’s partner in the George enterprise. — Lisa Depaulo, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026

Kardashian was in court to share new details from a horrific assault in the name of seeking justice; to comment meanly on her outfit would have been a weird move. — Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 19 May 2025

At Artnet, Walter assembled a motley crew of writers, including the unstoppable Charlie Finch, who would meanly attack everyone. — Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2025

The third point in this tinderbox triangle of frenemyship is Elena, a girl in their class whom Jana side-eyes meanly for her reputation for being easy, who uploads twerking selfies to social media and who also buzzes around school jock Kris. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 1 Sep. 2021

Later visits from the Galileo mission confirmed this very active volcanism on Io, with surface lava temperatures of 1250-1450C, meanly likely ultramafic compositions (komaiites - very low silica content, below 45 weight % and rare on Earth). — Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 18 May 2011