Synonyms of means

means 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of mean

1

as in signifies

to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind

the national anthem means various things to various people

Synonyms & Similar Words

• signifies
• implies
• denotes
• indicates
• suggests
• intends
• spells
• expresses
• explains
• represents
• imports
• infers
• symbolizes
• connotes
• symbols
• specifies
• mentions
• hints
• amounts (to)
• announces
• embodies
• refers (to)
• points (to)
• signals
• intimates
• adds up (to)
• alludes (to)
• proclaims
• touches (on or upon)
• personifies
• epitomizes
• cites
• instances
• designates
• insinuates
• declares
• elucidates
• adverts

2

as in matters

to be of importance

your presence at my graduation would mean a lot to me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• matters
• weighs
• signifies
• counts
• influences
• affects
• imports
• cuts ice
• carries weight
• concerns
• amounts (to)
• adds up (to)
• sways

3

as in intends

to have in mind as a purpose or goal

I mean to win this race

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intends
• plans
• contemplates
• hopes
• purposes
• goes
• aims
• looks
• proposes
• wishes
• tries
• purports
• allows
• calculates
• aspires
• designs
• considers
• figures on
• attempts
• meditates
• dreams
• strives
• accomplishes
• achieves
• struggles
• schemes
• debates
• plots
• ponders
• performs
• effects
• executes
• endeavors
• mulls (over)

4

as in indicates

to serve as a sign or symptom of

these colder nights mean autumn has truly arrived

Synonyms & Similar Words

• indicates
• signifies
• denotes
• points (to)
• tells (of)
• betokens
• bodes
• bespeaks
• presages
• foretells
• foreshows

means

2 of 2

noun

plural of mean

1

as in measure

an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result

won the competition by fair and honest means

Synonyms & Similar Words

• measure
• step
• move
• action
• effort
• shift
• attempt
• expedient
• resource
• doing
• procedure
• act
• process
• operation
• course
• initiative
• try
• dealing
• proceeding
• activity
• success
• feat
• while
• deed
• thing
• project
• accomplishment
• attainment
• work
• endeavor
• exploit
• achievement
• coup
• triumph
• proposal
• event
• pass
• undertaking
• enterprise
• trouble
• proposition
• go
• business
• exertion
• labor
• resort
• crack
• stab
• pains
• essay
• trial
• shot
• affair
• whack
• counterstep
• stopgap
• countermeasure
• fling
• makeshift
• countermove

2

as in instrumentality

something used to achieve an end

the ends don't justify the means

Synonyms & Similar Words

• instrumentality
• instrument
• agent
• vehicle
• mechanism
• factor
• tool
• power
• incentive
• agency
• machinery
• organ
• ministry
• influence
• medium
• reason
• ingredient
• cause
• impetus
• determinant
• weapon
• catalyst
• driver
• expedient
• stimulus
• generator
• inspiration
• trigger
• antecedent
• executor
• occasion
• activator
• instigation
• mover
• instigator
• launcher
• energizer
• animator
• subagency
• subagent

3

as in wealth

the total of one's money and property

a woman of considerable means

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wealth
• assets
• things
• money
• capital
• worth
• funds
• fortune
• riches
• substance
• possessions
• wherewithal
• effects
• resources
• success
• prosperity
• savings
• opulence
• holdings
• finances
• property
• belongings
• abundance
• wallet
• acquisition
• affluence
• chattels
• paraphernalia
• personal property
• treasure
• deep pockets
• bankroll
• personalty
• treasury
• accession
• reserve
• nest egg
• valuables

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liabilities
• debts
• indebtedness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of means

Verb

His call-up to the 40-man roster, however, means the Mariners cannot contact him during a potential December 1st lockout, which could hinder his development. — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

The below-average pass rush means the vulnerable secondary could be overly exposed. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

Another almost perfectly equidistant location, and yes this means three games in Iowa. — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

To travel well often means opening yourself up to discomfort or difference, which inherently means a willingness to make a fool of yourself. — Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2026

In China, anyone who holds a position of authority is almost certainly a party member, and being kicked out of the party means the end of one’s political career. — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

And right now, all that means is finding the rest of the enemy combatants. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2026

Basic economic theory says landowners would wait for others to spend the time, money and energy to control hogs—which means nobody does, and the problems grow. — Chris Boyer, Scientific American, 16 Aug. 2026

The new points system that puts an emphasis on season performance means the postseason is not nearly as volatile. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Noun

The Gulf states have experimented with ship-to-ship transfers and other means of moving crude around Iranian restrictions. — Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026

Living with endometriosis means becoming an expert on highly specialized ingredients and constantly cross-checking product labels. — Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026

Shai-Hulud employed an unconventional means for ensuring its channel for collecting credentials was immune to third-party takedowns. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026

Often featuring object narrators with a moral valence—Bibles and prayer books were popular—these stories targeted audiences with limited means to select their own reading material, including children. — Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026

Fiction and poetry offered another means of exploring the self, distinct from her visual practice. — Tessa Solomon For Artnews, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026

For Abdul-Kafi, making barbecue means providing first-time experiences to people who have traditionally been unable to eat it. — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026

The three-minute notification was communicated by alternate means, acknowledged by a controller and positive contact was established with Marine One before takeoff. — CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026

Ballistic missile attacks have increased civilian casualties and infrastructure damage across Ukraine - and Patriots are the only means of shooting them down. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing means

• by all means
• by means of
• by no means