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

And that means Republican committee chairmen and leaders control any effort to curtail them — not rank-and-file Democrats. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026

The revision means there is a one-in-three chance of a downgrade in the next year. — A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026

The temptation will be to decide immediately what the change means. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026

That means there will be precious little time for robust debate, either in the board itself or among the public in general. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026

Which means about fifteen minutes late, but for Los Angeles, that’s on time. — John Ross, Vanity Fair, 20 Sep. 2026

Tagovailoa previously was listed as doubtful, but his pregame designation means the Falcons will roll with Cooper Rush as the starter and Jack Strand as the backup. — AJC.com, 20 Sep. 2026

This means supporting every segment of the industry according to its specific needs. — John Hopewell, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026

They’re forced to think, which means the question is very good. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Noun

But in the age of AC — and AI — the means of motion picture production can be constructed most anywhere. — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026

Now, though, with FEMA money involved, residents have to show proof of residency through a utility bill, ID or other means. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 18 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

The island relies on arms purchases from the United States, which is bound by its own laws to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

Migration is thus a crucial means of enabling people born in the Global South to access lucrative jobs. — J. Toby Reiner, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026

The third is between military means and the political ends they are intended to achieve. — Nadia Schadlow, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2026

Working through an entire day and night, the pair construct an elaborate means of floating the heavy boxes down a river on a raft built from wooden pallets, steel drums, and propane tanks. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

The power is in the hands of the owners of the means of production, and that is not the doctors. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing means

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