1
as in sense
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action
the unmistakable meaning of the skier's upraised arms as he finished his spectacular run
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in purpose
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish
the people have a right to know what the president's meaning is in getting the nation involved in this war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in suggestive
clearly conveying a special meaning (as one's mood)
gave me a meaning look after I said that
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in denoting
to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind
the national anthem means various things to various people
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in weighing
to be of importance
your presence at my graduation would mean a lot to me
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in planning
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
I mean to win this race
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in indicating
to serve as a sign or symptom of
these colder nights mean autumn has truly arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of meaning
Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 4 Feb. 2026
The object that carries meaning when memory fades.
—Sudhir Gupta, Rolling Stone, 4 Feb. 2026
Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
For Robell Awake, the chair is a meaning-laden object, symbolic of rest, a stand-in for the human body, a reflection of historical power dynamics.
—Felicia Feaster, AJC.com, 30 Jan. 2026
David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Nevertheless, the budget committee voted for an extra 1% cut this fiscal year and 2% in the year starting July 1 — meaning up to 5% total cuts.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for meaning
Noun
For Smith, that visibility carries meaning.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 4 Feb. 2026
The object that carries meaning when memory fades.
—Sudhir Gupta, Rolling Stone, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
To see you as a newborn child and then to look at you and to know that every step along the way, to witness that journey, is the most meaning aspect of my life.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
For Robell Awake, the chair is a meaning-laden object, symbolic of rest, a stand-in for the human body, a reflection of historical power dynamics.
—Felicia Feaster, AJC.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
But the Michael Reese tract currently is vacant, meaning taxes paid to the city are immaterial.
—David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Nevertheless, the budget committee voted for an extra 1% cut this fiscal year and 2% in the year starting July 1 — meaning up to 5% total cuts.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for meaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meaning
Noun
-
Much of the crowd has–or knows someone who has, contributed to the sense of community that permeates the space.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
As a three-term Mecklenburg County commissioner, my daily concern is delivering common-sense solutions to our problems as efficiently as possible to keep the tax rate low.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Nevertheless, laid low by cancer and the claim battle, Karen Powers continued on in the job that had provided her with a lifelong sense of meaning and purpose.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
SpaceX plans to use its Starship system for the task — the largest spacecraft and rocket system ever built, and the vehicle that Musk says is purpose-made for taking people to Mars.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Patients accused Heaps of groping them, performing unnecessarily invasive examinations and making suggestive comments.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The report noted some mottling and nodules in the liver and a spleen with one hypoechoic mass and multiple similar nodules suggestive of hemangiosarcoma.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Outstanding Chef is a national category, denoting a chef who has set high standards to the broader culinary culture.—
Brock Keeling,
Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
WalletHub graded 18 metrics on a 100-point scale, with 100 denoting the most favorable conditions for a Thanksgiving celebration, per the study.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Maryam Zar, who formed a community group to help guide the recovery from the Palisades fire, is also weighing a mayoral bid — and doesn’t plan to decide until the final day.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Analysts say Beijing may be weighing trade, investment and other measures to respond – and dissuade other countries in the region from taking similar steps.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Mayor Michelle Wu says her administration is also planning to boost the city’s annual block-party grants to allow watch parties and festivities to take place across Boston’s neighborhoods.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Lawmakers in Congress are planning to bury the commemorative chest in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The motion sought to dismiss the charges with prejudice, indicating they cannot be refiled.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
-
On May 14, 2025, CBP investigators received information from a law enforcement database indicating that Garcia-Vallejo was Wilkinson’s niece, the complaint states.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In 2021, the global significance of tatreez was recognized by UNESCO, when it was added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, a safeguarding measure to ensure its preservation.—
Zoe Whitfield,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
-
February marks Black History Month, a time to examine historic monuments in Dallas that still hold significance for the city's African-American community.—
Uwa Ede-Osifo,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Meaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meaning. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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