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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of means
Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Wrexham’s penchant for Hollywood endings means nothing can be discounted until the mathematicians say so.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
That means the Heat would have to win its final three regular-season games and the Magic would have to lose its final three regular-season games for Miami to pass Orlando in the standings.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
Over the weekend the Writers Guild reached a tentative agreement with the studios that looks likely to maintain full consent privileges for writers, which means AI will likely not make it into the scripts of many but far from all Emmys contenders.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
That means winding down non-core or low-growth businesses like Pixomondo.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
For denim brands, that means carrying more inventory and building in longer lead times just to stay on schedule.
—Andre Claudio, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2026
This means that some of our colleagues will be leaving the company.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026
Keep it light and clever, yet commit to a piece long enough to actually wrap it, whether that means editing your podcast or rehearsing your lines once.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Luna himself has acknowledged never finding any, and department policy has always provided for the means to discipline and terminate any employee who engages in behavior that harms the public, fellow employees, or is otherwise prohibited by law.
—Opinion Staff, Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
The state simply needs to find a way to live within its means, in her view.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Rather, the concern, according to Asymco analyst Horace Dediu, is what the arrangement with Google means for user data and whether the search company uses it to bolster its algorithms.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2026
As of now, more than 40 countries brought together by the United Kingdom are discussing how to reopen the strait through diplomatic means after the war is over.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Trap crops are most effective against pests that are commonly destructive and difficult to control through other means.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
By all means, make your move… but don’t forget your heart in the process!
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Half of the bars in this compilation are the kind of place where the drinking is simply a means to an end.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
But that panel — like all but one in the chamber — is tied, which means Republicans and Democrats have to find agreement to advance bills or, in this case, find consensus on any disciplinary action the House should take.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Wrexham’s penchant for Hollywood endings means nothing can be discounted until the mathematicians say so.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
That means the Heat would have to win its final three regular-season games and the Magic would have to lose its final three regular-season games for Miami to pass Orlando in the standings.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
Over the weekend the Writers Guild reached a tentative agreement with the studios that looks likely to maintain full consent privileges for writers, which means AI will likely not make it into the scripts of many but far from all Emmys contenders.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
That means winding down non-core or low-growth businesses like Pixomondo.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
For denim brands, that means carrying more inventory and building in longer lead times just to stay on schedule.
—Andre Claudio, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2026
This means that some of our colleagues will be leaving the company.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026
Keep it light and clever, yet commit to a piece long enough to actually wrap it, whether that means editing your podcast or rehearsing your lines once.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
McLeod also emphasized the urgency of incorporating and said that many people get the wrong message about what becoming a city means.
—Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Luna himself has acknowledged never finding any, and department policy has always provided for the means to discipline and terminate any employee who engages in behavior that harms the public, fellow employees, or is otherwise prohibited by law.
—Opinion Staff, Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
The state simply needs to find a way to live within its means, in her view.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Rather, the concern, according to Asymco analyst Horace Dediu, is what the arrangement with Google means for user data and whether the search company uses it to bolster its algorithms.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2026
As of now, more than 40 countries brought together by the United Kingdom are discussing how to reopen the strait through diplomatic means after the war is over.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Trap crops are most effective against pests that are commonly destructive and difficult to control through other means.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
By all means, make your move… but don’t forget your heart in the process!
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Half of the bars in this compilation are the kind of place where the drinking is simply a means to an end.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for means
Verb
-
The lunar sphere of influence is a mathematical boundary that signifies the Artemis crew is in the moon’s vicinity.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
-
His resurrection signifies victory over sin, death and despair.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Even so, the contamination still matters because the entire Biscayne Aquifer system is connected.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Our allegiance is not to any person or party, but to the reign of God, where truth matters, dignity is upheld, and power is held accountable.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The issue has grown pressing enough that NBA commissioner Adam Silver has said the league intends to curb some of the tanking by changing the lottery process.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The developer intends to complete the last of the townhomes in a first phase of the community by 2030, according to Planning Board documents.—
Joe Marusak
April 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
New research indicates that living there may affect kids’ lungs.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The ‘myth of mass exodus’ Building on its data showing New York office space is still in high demand, JLL argued that the robustness of New York’s business sector is also dependent on a steady supply of qualified labor, which indicates that high-quality talent still gravitates toward the city.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Members of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) hailed the legislation as a measure to ensure institutional stability.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
As the MorphoScan measures and calculates, a voice will pipe up offering guidance and progress reports.—
Andrew Gebhart,
PC Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
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
-
This included corporate, commercial, wealth management and small business banking.—
Chase Jordan
April 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Apr. 2026
-
For gamblers, especially younger ones who are just starting to earn and build the savings that will undergird their retirements, that can mean life-altering losses of wealth and financial stability.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The figure implies a 58% revenue surge in March alone.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
7 Apr. 2026
-
That implies roughly 60% downside from Thursday’s close.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Means.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/means. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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