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

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

In addition to the budget-friendly prices, drugstores also seemingly always have additional deals and sales on select items and brands—and the CVS Fall Epic Beauty event means even more ways to save. — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 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 move to split the professional and consumer iPhone launches means the Neo can comfortably align with the consumer launches in Spring 2027. — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 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

In the meantime, Baltzer knows the reality of the situation means Deep Isolation may have to develop its first commercial project internationally. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026

Noun

Because having a major LLM now adopt automatic watermarking of all its AI outputs has caused masses of people to rush to find a means to defeat the watermarking. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Defense attorney Steve Haney argued that there was no evidence Rinderknecht started the blaze, that the fire could have been started by a firework or other means and that the fire scene was not secured. — Sierra Van Der Brug, Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026

These are people who genuinely want, and have the means, to make a real difference. — Nick Allardice, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026

Because creating that avenue was a theme of loss and remembering and what forgetting or remembering means for a character. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026

Earlier this month, the company promised to provide a means to detect songs made with its tech, and announced a rollout of download caps aimed at slowing the flood of AI songs onto streaming services. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026

What all of this means is that elk bugling can’t always be counted on. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 12 Aug. 2026

Communism is a political and economic system in which property, means of production and natural resources are collectively owned by the community or state, rather than private individuals, and divided either equally or according to need. — Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

In the meantime, read on for what the sun trine Saturn retrograde means for your zodiac sign. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing means

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