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

Yet, despite these extraordinary advances, the brain still holds countless mysteries, with much more left to learn and discover and optogenetics has given us a powerful means to take on these challenges. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2026

What this means, in practical terms, is that the songs on Beat elevate mood above structure. — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026

This means any slowdown in the labor market could create a more serious consumption problem, with the same households facing slower income growth and decreased access to credit. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026

The Dolphins had two returns that were stopped at midfield by Miami’s kickers and punters, which means the special teams coverage unit failed to do its job of getting the Vikings’ returner down before reaching Miami’s last defender. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026

That means training for the nonprofit workers who serve New Yorkers every day, in more languages, and staff time for groups to help their communities understand this technology deeply. — Steven Choi, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026

Likewise, Duong used her cameras to create a safe space for her family to act out past memories to, at long last, talk about what each means to one another, good and bad. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026

That means an e-reader can display a page for hours while consuming essentially no display power between updates. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 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

Noun

Certifying a council as fair means comparing it against every possible group of voters and every slate of candidates that group can claim. — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026

Then, the court could determine whether the person has the means to pay, Looney said. — Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026

When that happens, Boeing’s troubled Starliner spacecraft will likely be the only commercial means of launching US crews to orbit. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026

Haas said Burger King’s recent success gave him the financial means to make the acquisition. — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

On many occasions, these vulnerabilities were years-old, zero-day flaws that bad actors didn’t have the means to attack. — Ali El Kaafarani, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Her former research partner has absconded with her life’s work, presumably to put toward greedy human means of Manifest Destiny. — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

Iran published a 14,390-word letter to Americans this week proclaiming the regime’s victory over the US, suggesting the two sides were no closer to resolving their seven-month war through diplomatic means. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026

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

Phrases Containing means

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