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 stingy
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to intend
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
I mean to win this race
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in middle
a middle point between extremes
that candidate's moderate views were seen as the mean that voters were looking for
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 stingy
giving or sharing as little as possible
a mean child who hoarded all her toys
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Brittney Melton, NPR, 7 July 2025
That means Skenes, who was chosen for the July 15 All-Star Game, won’t be available to pitch this week when the Pirates face the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
—Kansas City Star, 7 July 2025
Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
Her administration has not shared the exact locations of emergency shelters housing migrants and local families, but some have been confirmed through other means.
—Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 9 July 2025
Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 25 June 2025
Yosemite Hospitality's overall rating is mean to identify the areas needed for improvement, and NPS did not state if the contract would be terminated.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Verb
This means their blood sugar rises quickly after eating, and sometimes plummets below their baseline hours later.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 7 July 2025
That means Skenes, who was chosen for the July 15 All-Star Game, won’t be available to pitch this week when the Pirates face the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
—Kansas City Star, 7 July 2025
Noun
Even in relatively small major-league stadiums, Rosner said, selling out means bringing 2.5 million people through the turnstiles each year.
—Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
Her administration has not shared the exact locations of emergency shelters housing migrants and local families, but some have been confirmed through other means.
—Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 9 July 2025
Adjective
The apes also spent a mean total of 76 minutes napping each day, over 1-2 different nests and multiple bouts of rest.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 25 June 2025
Yosemite Hospitality's overall rating is mean to identify the areas needed for improvement, and NPS did not state if the contract would be terminated.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mean
Verb
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Today's the beginning of the Dry January campaign, signified by the color yellow.—
Maria Leontaras,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
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Its streamlined profile, outsole made for smooth transitions (courtesy of the segmented crash pad), and midsole that adapts to your unique speed and stride are all elements that signify the brand’s devotion to high-quality craftsmanship.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
Verb
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But none of that mattered when Schanuel came to the plate with the bases loaded, after Zach Neto was intentionally walked, washing away an 0-for-4 night with his walk-off walk.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 July 2025
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They've been raised in environments where their voices matter, and they’re encouraged to express themselves.—
Richard Polak,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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The pop culture phenomenon features documentaries, educational programming and entertainment shows intended to celebrate and explore the biology, behavior and importance of sharks within marine ecosystems.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
10 July 2025
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The playwrights intended the drama as an allegorical parable for the age shaped by Wisconsin Senator Joe McCarthy.—
Time,
Time,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Curiously, there was no representative from Prince William and Kate Middleton in the talks, and reports indicate the two are approaching the possible reconciliation carefully.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
15 July 2025
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After the tornado dissipated just west of Maryland Route 5, radar indicated that the system evolved into a rear flank downdraft, producing straight-line wind damage in areas east of the highway.—
Todd Karpovich,
Baltimore Sun,
15 July 2025
Verb
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The latest hike implies that 1.92 million bpd (or over 87%) of those cuts have now been unwound.—
Gaurav Sharma,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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Later, it’s implied that the actual kidnapper was Manon, who has the same tattoo.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
9 July 2025
Verb
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More of a gel-like texture than liquidy, this serum still never weighs hair down after use.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
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In total, the seizure weighed approximately 2,500 lbs., officials said.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Harkins plans to open a second BackLot at Verrado Marketplace, a shopping mall being built in Buckeye.—
Reia Li,
AZCentral.com,
12 July 2025
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Ear and her siblings are planning on visiting their mother in August.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
12 July 2025
Verb
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That is fine if the average quality of those shots — denoted as xG per shot — is high.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
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Around the main pattern were entire sections of white tiles without any pattern, and they may have been used as smaller alcoves or to denote special arrangements of furniture or a bench, archaeologists said.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mean. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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