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
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Recent Examples of means
Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
Thinking globally and acting locally means electing people of vision, not people who couldn't find their way out of a paper bag without a lobbyist lighting their way under the table, or down the wrong path where for-profit companies rule and teachers are scapegoated for society's failures.
—Shelley Smith Special To The Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
The move means the UAE has removed British universities from a list of higher education institutions eligible for state scholarships amid growing tensions over London's decision not to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, The Financial Times reported.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Make your vehicle visible to others both ahead of you and behind you by using your low-beam headlights since this means your taillights will also be on.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2026
That almost certainly means a hybrid diesel-electric system, though the yard did not explicitly say that.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Jan. 2026
This uneven approach means leaders can’t take a one-size-fits-all approach.
—Feon Ang, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025
And In These Times considers what this win means for public morale.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
That means a shopper getting 10% back on Rakuten could see more than 20% back in value through Bilt points — which can then be used toward flights, hotels, or even rent.
—Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Manufacturers would also have to provide a means for first responders to access the car from outside when electric power is lost.
—Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner ruled the twins’ deaths a homicide — by unspecified means, police say.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
This history suggests that clear bans in law and policy on questionable tactics have the potential to save lives, while also strengthening the means for holding officers accountable.
—Ben Jones, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026
At a recent event providing health services to those affected, MusiCares says many participants shared stories of evacuating with only a few minutes notice, forcing some to leave behind their means of livelihood – instruments and studios, some of which the organization has helped to replace.
—Andrew Flanagan, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent studies continue to support a decades-old drug as an alternative means of reducing alcohol consumption.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
And limiting access to highly lethal means can reduce the risk of suicide.
—Russell Lemle, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Borrowing for operating costs creates long-term debt for one-time expenses and signals to investors and ratings agencies that the city cannot live within its means.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
Our first alert weather team says this 2025-2026 season is considered to be a La Niña year, and for California, that usually means drier conditions.
—Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
Thinking globally and acting locally means electing people of vision, not people who couldn't find their way out of a paper bag without a lobbyist lighting their way under the table, or down the wrong path where for-profit companies rule and teachers are scapegoated for society's failures.
—Shelley Smith Special To The Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
The move means the UAE has removed British universities from a list of higher education institutions eligible for state scholarships amid growing tensions over London's decision not to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, The Financial Times reported.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Make your vehicle visible to others both ahead of you and behind you by using your low-beam headlights since this means your taillights will also be on.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2026
That almost certainly means a hybrid diesel-electric system, though the yard did not explicitly say that.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Jan. 2026
This uneven approach means leaders can’t take a one-size-fits-all approach.
—Feon Ang, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025
And In These Times considers what this win means for public morale.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
That means a shopper getting 10% back on Rakuten could see more than 20% back in value through Bilt points — which can then be used toward flights, hotels, or even rent.
—Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
Running out of battery mid-flight means missing entertainment and the chance to use apps that help manage nervousness or track turbulence.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Manufacturers would also have to provide a means for first responders to access the car from outside when electric power is lost.
—Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner ruled the twins’ deaths a homicide — by unspecified means, police say.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
This history suggests that clear bans in law and policy on questionable tactics have the potential to save lives, while also strengthening the means for holding officers accountable.
—Ben Jones, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026
At a recent event providing health services to those affected, MusiCares says many participants shared stories of evacuating with only a few minutes notice, forcing some to leave behind their means of livelihood – instruments and studios, some of which the organization has helped to replace.
—Andrew Flanagan, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent studies continue to support a decades-old drug as an alternative means of reducing alcohol consumption.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
And limiting access to highly lethal means can reduce the risk of suicide.
—Russell Lemle, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Borrowing for operating costs creates long-term debt for one-time expenses and signals to investors and ratings agencies that the city cannot live within its means.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for means
Verb
-
Johnson understands what this week signifies — with this playoff stage providing the opportunity to stamp greater legitimacy on the season.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The removal of the skull, according to study authors, signifies an act of remembrance, social memory, and ancestral veneration.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The league hasn’t yet rubber-stamped the team’s temporary relocation to Orlando, but everyone who matters already knows.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
-
March 21 – April 19 Take the reins on what matters most.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The company intends to move away from the low-volume manufacturing typical of the aviation industry.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
-
OpenAI intends to build and deploy at least 10 gigawatts of AI data centers with Nvidia’s systems.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Containment indicates what percentage of the fire perimeter has been surrounded by a control line.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Additionally, the study indicates that 80% of magistrate judges throughout North Carolina do not possess a law degree.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The measure will later go to the council for full approval.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The measures, which had been agreed to in writing in mid-November 2023, were intended to address Lively’s concerns about on-set conduct and safety.—
Elizabeth Rosner,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 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
-
Both nations boast vast petroleum reserves and extensive mineral wealth, long positioning themselves as anti-imperialist adversaries of the US.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Although the divorce left Cher with limited immediate wealth, the royalty agreement proved to be valuable in the long-term, reportedly earning her tens of millions of dollars paid out gradually over decades.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The firm's new price target of $605 implies 17% upside from Thursday's close.—
Liz Napolitano,Darla Mercado, CFP®,
CNBC,
9 Jan. 2026
-
This tells us that if P being true implies Q being true, then Q being false implies P also must be false.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Means.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/means. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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