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
Relevance
2
as in matters
to be of importance
your presence at my graduation would mean a lot to me
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in intends
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
I mean to win this race
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
2
as in instrumentality
something used to achieve an end
the ends don't justify the means
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in wealth
the total of one's money and property
a woman of considerable means
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of means
Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
That means busting into the paint and kicking out from there.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
This means astronauts will have to diagnose, treat, and manage crises without ground support, even if a crew member becomes incapacitated.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
That means a 140-pound adult only needs about 53 grams of protein per day, an amount easily reached with a cup of Greek yogurt and a chicken breast, or a serving of tofu with beans.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
If Markey is too old, that means Bernie Sanders is eligible for a Smithsonian exhibit.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Good manners involves consideration for others, which sometimes means not spending too much time thinking about their behavior.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
The level of scientific scrutiny and expertise means these documents are trusted by environmental experts around the world.
—Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
That means the city would have to approve an average of 14,760 new homes every year over the next five years to meet it.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Oliver Kay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
How To Keep Skunks Away Removing potential food sources and excluding skunks from an area are the most effective means of keeping them away from your home.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
The laundries provided a means for first-generation family members to pursue other trades thanks to prosperous business, according to the historical society.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025
During a politically tumultuous time, bands like Sleep Token, Ghost and PRESIDENT provide the perfect means of escape.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
However, should layoffs continue to climb, those without jobs will not have the means to borrow or take advantage of these falling interest rates.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Read on for what Venus trine Uranus retrograde means for your zodiac sign.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Jonathan Rinderknecht was arrested on Tuesday and charged with destruction of property by means of fire.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
The charges include destruction of property by means of fire, which includes property that receives federal funding.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
Which means the vagaries of late October are pretty familiar for this franchise and the bulk of these players.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
That means busting into the paint and kicking out from there.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
This means astronauts will have to diagnose, treat, and manage crises without ground support, even if a crew member becomes incapacitated.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
That means a 140-pound adult only needs about 53 grams of protein per day, an amount easily reached with a cup of Greek yogurt and a chicken breast, or a serving of tofu with beans.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
If Markey is too old, that means Bernie Sanders is eligible for a Smithsonian exhibit.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Good manners involves consideration for others, which sometimes means not spending too much time thinking about their behavior.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
The level of scientific scrutiny and expertise means these documents are trusted by environmental experts around the world.
—Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
That means the city would have to approve an average of 14,760 new homes every year over the next five years to meet it.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
For Brentford, the end can often be said to justify the means.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
How To Keep Skunks Away Removing potential food sources and excluding skunks from an area are the most effective means of keeping them away from your home.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
The laundries provided a means for first-generation family members to pursue other trades thanks to prosperous business, according to the historical society.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025
During a politically tumultuous time, bands like Sleep Token, Ghost and PRESIDENT provide the perfect means of escape.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
However, should layoffs continue to climb, those without jobs will not have the means to borrow or take advantage of these falling interest rates.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Read on for what Venus trine Uranus retrograde means for your zodiac sign.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Jonathan Rinderknecht was arrested on Tuesday and charged with destruction of property by means of fire.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
The charges include destruction of property by means of fire, which includes property that receives federal funding.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for means
Verb
-
In 2021, Jonah earned his F&I certification, which signifies an expertise in vehicle financing as well as automotive insurance and legal compliance.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
15 Oct. 2025
-
The law is a significant milestone in the regulation of AI in policing, but its passage also signifies that AI is going to become a major part of the criminal justice system.—
Andrew Guthrie Ferguson,
The Conversation,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Exercising can help people with diabetes lower their blood sugar levels and increase insulin sensitivity, but the timing of exercise also matters.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Every last detail matters to her.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Pritzker, who intends to seek a third term in 2026, was under consideration as a vice presidential running mate to Kamala Harris last year.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Toulouse now intends to go a step further and achieve micrometer-scale printing resolution while utilizing biodegradable materials compatible with living cells.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The game wasn’t as close as the final score indicates.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
11 Oct. 2025
-
This discovery indicates that the protein changes that characterize this devastating disorder are reversible in certain circumstances—hinting at new possibilities for treatment.—
Robert Martone,
Scientific American,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Another measure from Oppenheimer's Ari Wald, who stuck to historical data from bull markets that lasted longer than four years, found that stocks average a 20% gain in their fourth year.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
13 Oct. 2025
-
China notified countries before announcing the measures, the ministry said, emphasizing that export controls are not export bans.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
They are left wielding the tools of instrumentality: in-groups and cliques, buying effort through more money, coercive employment agreements and suits against whistleblowers.—
Dave Winsborough,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
Holding the weight of cotton’s influence on the world, and thus the instrumentality of Black labor, is painful, yet necessary work.—
Cierra Black,
Essence,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
But right now, like wealth and health, IQ remains a node in the uncontrolled matrix of human development, causing some things and being caused by others, as genes and environment interact in the background.—
Eric Turkheimer,
The Atlantic,
13 Oct. 2025
-
But the Tigers probably aren’t the team to give him the cash, thanks to Colt Keith and their wealth of infield prospects nearing the majors.—
Ryan Ford,
Freep.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Tasteful art and multiple SOCAN Awards hang on the walls; the ample daylight (even in the studios) and open spaces give an upbeat vibe; there’s a tidiness that implies a focus that is also reflected in the releases from its artists, who fall broadly under an indie-pop (or pop-indie) genre.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
-
As their name implies, whale sharks are a shark species known for their giant size and are the world’s largest fish, reaching over 30 feet in length, according to Thai National Parks.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Means.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/means. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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