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

They’re rooted in a time and place that feels all too real, and this allows the monsters to parade their primitive might in a way that means something. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Sep. 2026

If true, this means the nation is now capable of continuing to extend the lifespan of valuable spacecraft in space. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026

Cook got longtime search cash cow Alphabet to bankroll Apple’s AI, which means bankrolling not only Gemini but, perhaps more important, the huge power costs. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026

That means tax rises or spending cuts – or both – could be on the cards. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

So, having this show hosted by me in my city means two things. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2026

On offense, that means more action for Kahlil Benson, an undrafted tryout player who was likely to play right tackle before the injury to Simmons forced him to the other side. — Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026

This means no piece of gravel should be greater than one quarter of an inch. — Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026

Ryosuke Inoue, Visiting Fellow at CSIS Climate change means the shocks testing that system aren’t going away. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026

Noun

Carrie D’Anna, who also lives on the south side of Taylor and was the community member who made and delivered the flyer to Griffin’s door, said some residents have considered moving elsewhere, but not everyone has the financial means to do so. — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026

Using more detergent than necessary means buying and discarding containers more often. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Baek Ki-hyeon aspired to walk a path of virtue and provide for their sister through honest means — but his calculating spymaster big brother was never going to let them out of his grasp. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026

Since December 2023, EU rules have required ingredients and nutritional information for wine, which producers can provide physically or through electronic means such as a QR code. — Paula Rivero, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Protecting their health means ensuring access to health insurance and medical care, nutritious food, safety from harm, quality education, and strong communities. — Jewel Mullen, STAT, 24 Sep. 2026

Yes, if a woman (or girl) becomes pregnant by any of those means, she should not be forced to face further health risks. — Anne Gerwig, Sun Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026

The movie is always sitting in judgment of its characters — not an unfair perspective, by any means, but not one prone to three-dimensionality. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

The networks do not submit their ad rates to public scrutiny, but these figures represent the most concise means of assessing the ratings projections for the 2026-27 season. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing means

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