Synonyms of mean
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as in to signify 
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as in to matter
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as in to intend
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as in to indicate
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as in middle
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as in doing
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as in ministry
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as in worth
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as in malice
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as in average
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as in low
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as in careful
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as in cruel
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as in dirty
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as in inferior
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as in awesome
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as in dilapidated
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as in lame
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Example Sentences
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Phrases Containing
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Entries Near
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Related Articles
1
as in to signify
to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind
the national anthem means various things to various people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to matter
to be of importance
your presence at my graduation would mean a lot to me
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3
as in to intend
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
I mean to win this race
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1
as in middle
a middle point between extremes
that candidate's moderate views were seen as the mean that voters were looking for
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in doing
means plural
an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result
won the competition by fair and honest means
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3
as in ministry
means plural
something used to achieve an end
the ends don't justify the means
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4
as in worth
means plural
the total of one's money and property
a woman of considerable means
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
for the state of Florida, what is the mean number of sunny days per month?
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in low
belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank
Alexander Hamilton seems to have had feelings of inferiority because of his mean origins
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in careful
giving or sharing as little as possible
a mean child who hoarded all her toys
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cruel
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it
a mean, embittered old woman who wanted company for her misery
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dirty
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
a mean trick to play on a trusting person
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in inferior
of little or less value or merit
it's no mean feat to memorize that long poem
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in awesome
of the very best kind
I'm a mean dancer, so you could do worse than go to the prom with me
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
he worked hard to escape the mean neighborhood of his youth
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in lame
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
that was no mean stunt to pull off, especially with so little advance preparation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in malice
the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm
nothing more than unprovoked meanness drove him to smash the child's toy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of mean
Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2025
That usually means a diet that includes a variety of food groups and macronutrients with a focus on whole, plant-based, and unprocessed foods, Bruno added.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 8 May 2025
Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 9 May 2025
Chainalysis notes that regions like Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa are embracing USD stablecoins as a hedge against local monetary instability, offering a more reliable means of transacting and preserving value.
—Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Jordan Moreau, Variety, 18 Apr. 2025
Instead, Jordan’s CGI Winklevoss stunt is distinguishable only by having one mean brother in a blue cap and a meaner brother in a red fedora.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Verb
Note that full containment doesn't mean the fire is completely out.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2025
That usually means a diet that includes a variety of food groups and macronutrients with a focus on whole, plant-based, and unprocessed foods, Bruno added.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 8 May 2025
Noun
The short story was inspired by the ancient folkloric legend of the Golem, an anthropomorphic being usually made from clay or mud, brought to life by magical means to serve its creator.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 9 May 2025
Chainalysis notes that regions like Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa are embracing USD stablecoins as a hedge against local monetary instability, offering a more reliable means of transacting and preserving value.
—Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Adjective
While the game is mean to be played in couch co-op with up to four people, one solo gamer can take control of 2-4 of the heroes and tackle missions just as easily.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 18 Apr. 2025
Instead, Jordan’s CGI Winklevoss stunt is distinguishable only by having one mean brother in a blue cap and a meaner brother in a red fedora.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mean
Verb
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What started five years ago has now become a special ritual, carried out on birthdays, anniversaries, and other important occasions, signifying the strong connection between Olesya Pavlyuk and her husband, Filipp, who have been married for eight years.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
3 May 2025
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Andy Murray’s logo features his initials and the No. 77, signifying his 2013 Wimbledon win, the first by a British player in 77 years.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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To Rossi, who was born in Mexico but works in the U.S. as an economist, the issues that matter most are immigration and the environment.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
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Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Frank E. Lockwood,
Arkansas Online,
10 May 2025
Verb
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The organization instead touted the 5K for Kirk, an alternative race intended to raise funds for the deputy and his family.—
Keri Blakinger,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2025
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More: Trump stops South Africa aid over land act intended to address apartheid legacy South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has disputed Trump's claims about land confiscation and discrimination against white South Africans.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
11 May 2025
Verb
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The drone attack on Port Sudan indicates a major shift in the two-year conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
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An unnamed ministry spokesperson was cited as saying that Beijing had taken note of various statements by senior U.S. officials indicating a willingness to negotiate over tariffs.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 May 2025
Verb
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Pereira was seemingly addressing frustration, as the post implied he felt disrespected by not getting placement in the main event for UFC 317 this summer.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
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Jokic wasn’t the conniving villain implied by his pregame wardrobe.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Together, the items weigh more than 15 pounds and could be worth as much as $340,000, report Radio Prague International’s Ruth Fraňková and Lörincz Tomáš.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 May 2025
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The system weighs local wealth, enrollment totals and past local education spending in calculating the state’s contribution.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
1 May 2025
Verb
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The Miami-headquartered Restaurant Brands International (RBI) plans to spend up to $700 million through 2028 as part of its plan to revitalize Burger King.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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Two Republican lawmakers confirmed to The Star that Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe and House Republicans plan to meet Tuesday behind closed doors.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Looking at the number of long attacking throw-ins — denoted as ones into the penalty area starting in the attacking quarter of the pitch — as a share of all throws in that zone, there has been a year-on-year increase, reaching 17 per cent this season.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
9 May 2025
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Astrologically, a Full Moon in Scorpio denotes change.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mean. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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