Synonyms of mean
-
as in to signify 
-
as in to matter
-
as in to intend
-
as in to indicate
-
as in middle
-
as in doing
-
as in ministry
-
as in worth
-
as in average
-
as in low
-
as in stingy
-
as in cruel
-
as in dirty
-
as in inferior
-
as in awesome
-
as in dilapidated
-
as in lame
-
Synonym Chooser
-
Example Sentences
-
Phrases Containing
-
Entries Near
-
Related Articles
1
as in to signify
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 to matter
to be of importance
your presence at my graduation would mean a lot to me
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to intend
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
I mean to win this race
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in middle
a middle point between extremes
that candidate's moderate views were seen as the mean that voters were looking for
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in doing
means plural
an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result
won the competition by fair and honest means
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in ministry
means plural
something used to achieve an end
the ends don't justify the means
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in worth
means plural
the total of one's money and property
a woman of considerable means
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
for the state of Florida, what is the mean number of sunny days per month?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in low
belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank
Alexander Hamilton seems to have had feelings of inferiority because of his mean origins
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stingy
giving or sharing as little as possible
a mean child who hoarded all her toys
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cruel
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it
a mean, embittered old woman who wanted company for her misery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dirty
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
a mean trick to play on a trusting person
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in inferior
of little or less value or merit
it's no mean feat to memorize that long poem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in awesome
of the very best kind
I'm a mean dancer, so you could do worse than go to the prom with me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
he worked hard to escape the mean neighborhood of his youth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in lame
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
that was no mean stunt to pull off, especially with so little advance preparation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mean
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
In a message written in Hebrew and addressed to Israel’s leadership, Hamas’ military wing said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ground incursion in Gaza City means that Israel has lost any chance of getting its hostages out of the territory – dead or alive.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
George Pesansky, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
Hornet’s downward slash is the primary means of parrying and lining up another attack or traversing over stretches of hazardous pits.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
Lady Luck and Mister Fate can be a mean couple, uncaring of you or me.
—Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Verb
Kershaw was on the winning end more often than not, but that didn’t mean the Giants didn’t also get in their licks.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
In a message written in Hebrew and addressed to Israel’s leadership, Hamas’ military wing said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ground incursion in Gaza City means that Israel has lost any chance of getting its hostages out of the territory – dead or alive.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
So, by all means, keep learning and experimenting.
—George Pesansky, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
Hornet’s downward slash is the primary means of parrying and lining up another attack or traversing over stretches of hazardous pits.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
And people was just saying very mean things about me.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
Lady Luck and Mister Fate can be a mean couple, uncaring of you or me.
—Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mean
Verb
-
Blossoming petals in shifting shades signify innovation and evoke Boulder’s outdoorsy spirit.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
As part of his apology, Bradley presented her with a five-diamond ring, with each rock signifying a new promise to his wife.—
Beth Sobol,
PEOPLE,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Walking pace also matters, Finney, a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, added.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
-
With a mix of trendsetting content and thoughtful storytelling, our editors keep an eye on what’s now, what’s next, and what truly matters.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The company on Wednesday also debuted the Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses, intended for athletes who participate in high-intensity sports like snowboarding and mountain biking.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The flypast was intended to showcase the strength of UK-US defense ties with a coordinated aerial display.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In 2016, court filings indicate Gamez Lira was charged with possession of marijuana but ultimately pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after the charges were reduced.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Authorities revealed that bullet casings recovered at the scene included antifascist messaging, and online messages and additional evidence from the suspect, Tyler Robinson, indicate he may have been driven by Leftist ideology.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In another sketch, a woman who may be Baker herself stands in the middle of a room filled with books, handing an eager young girl—perhaps the artist, one Jeanette Harris— a volume with the title Book of Famous Women.—
April White,
JSTOR Daily,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Cut a band of holes at different heights and about 1 inch apart around the middle of the pumpkin with a small sharp knife.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The scrapbook wasn't her mother's doing, but rather the work of her older sister.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Whatever, Dever quickly recanted her earlier precise testimony to the FBI about the sinister doings by those two dodgy cops behind Karen Read’s SUV.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Newsweek has emailed the Russian defense and foreign ministries for comment.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The Chinese foreign ministry said Wednesday that it was strongly opposed to the offensive and urged Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza at once.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Since 2022, the UK government has bought more than $350 million-worth of the company’s AR3 surveillance drones to send to Ukraine.—
Vasco Cotovio,
CNN Money,
21 Sep. 2025
-
The equinox brings focus to your stability and finances, and your sense of self-worth is no exception.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
21 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mean. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share