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
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 means
Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
This means that there will not be as many eighteen-year-olds applying to college in 2029, say, as there were in 2025.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 19 May 2026
That means a whopping 17 or 18 games abroad.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
This means the suitcase can fit five to seven outfits comfortably, which is far more than the competitor, which can only accommodate three to four days’ worth.
—Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026
The system means a British prime minister can be replaced without a general election, but that the party in control of the government will remain in charge until that wider vote is held.
—Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 19 May 2026
True transparency means context, not just clips.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 19 May 2026
For instance, scaling into a 4-contract position means risking exactly $1,000 to potentially walk away with a matching $1,000 in profit.
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 19 May 2026
Equally important is practicing self-care and self-compassion, which, Broder says, means treating yourself with kindness instead of judgment and recognizing that your patterns developed as a way to cope, not as a personal failing.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2026
Some viewers even felt its liberal use of absurdity in fact grounded the show in the real world compared to the high-minded weepies on daytime, achieving honesty through nontraditional means.
—Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Senate Democrats celebrated the parliamentarian's ruling but predicted Republicans will try to push the funding through Congress by other legislative means.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Finalists are prohibited from obtaining votes by any fraudulent or inappropriate means, including, without limitation, offering prizes or other inducements to members of the public, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion.
—Tim McGovern, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
While there are fewer active security threats facing users who have adopted an Apple ecosystem rather than a Microsoft one, that by no means implies that there are none.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
That Johnson was Hafley’s first selection in the secondary means he will not only be asked to contribute early but will surely have his coach’s attention from the onset.
—Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
Some employ these tools respectfully and responsibly, creating new means to share the stories of victims or of the rapidly diminishing number of living witnesses.
—Toby Axelrod, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
Those extra costs imply companies have exhausted all possible means to minimize tariff pressure, including sourcing goods domestically or finding alternative trading partners.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 11 May 2026
Verb
That hormones shape our moods and feelings, wire our brains and guide numerous, diverse processes throughout the body means that the practice of endocrinology is not based around any particular organ.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
This means that there will not be as many eighteen-year-olds applying to college in 2029, say, as there were in 2025.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 19 May 2026
That means a whopping 17 or 18 games abroad.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
This means the suitcase can fit five to seven outfits comfortably, which is far more than the competitor, which can only accommodate three to four days’ worth.
—Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026
The system means a British prime minister can be replaced without a general election, but that the party in control of the government will remain in charge until that wider vote is held.
—Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 19 May 2026
True transparency means context, not just clips.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 19 May 2026
For instance, scaling into a 4-contract position means risking exactly $1,000 to potentially walk away with a matching $1,000 in profit.
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 19 May 2026
Equally important is practicing self-care and self-compassion, which, Broder says, means treating yourself with kindness instead of judgment and recognizing that your patterns developed as a way to cope, not as a personal failing.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Noun
The rooms The rooms here were last renovated in 2017—just a hair earlier than Four Seasons One Dalton Street’s rooms, which opened in 2019, but are by no means old or inferior.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2026
Some viewers even felt its liberal use of absurdity in fact grounded the show in the real world compared to the high-minded weepies on daytime, achieving honesty through nontraditional means.
—Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Senate Democrats celebrated the parliamentarian's ruling but predicted Republicans will try to push the funding through Congress by other legislative means.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Finalists are prohibited from obtaining votes by any fraudulent or inappropriate means, including, without limitation, offering prizes or other inducements to members of the public, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion.
—Tim McGovern, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
While there are fewer active security threats facing users who have adopted an Apple ecosystem rather than a Microsoft one, that by no means implies that there are none.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
That Johnson was Hafley’s first selection in the secondary means he will not only be asked to contribute early but will surely have his coach’s attention from the onset.
—Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
Some employ these tools respectfully and responsibly, creating new means to share the stories of victims or of the rapidly diminishing number of living witnesses.
—Toby Axelrod, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
Those extra costs imply companies have exhausted all possible means to minimize tariff pressure, including sourcing goods domestically or finding alternative trading partners.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for means
Verb
-
The brand earned the podiatrist seal of approval, which signifies that its footwear provides adequate support on arches, toes, and ankles.—
Claire West,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
-
This ratio signifies a 35% premium over its historical five-year average forward P/E of 21x.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Experts say the adjustment may make push-ups feel more comfortable, but proper form matters most for effectiveness.—
Jamie Ducharme,
Health,
13 May 2026
-
Asked what matters most in shaping long-term leadership impact, Molinaroli resists simplification.—
Ascend Agency,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Blue Diamond said Tuesday that a local developer intends to buy 35 acres of the almond collective’s sprawling plant in midtown, and build it out with housing and retail.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
19 May 2026
-
The New Republic intends to trade Rotta’s return to his twin Hutt cousins in return for their knowledge of the whereabouts of fugitive Imperial Warlords.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Blood Pressure May Gradually Increases Research indicates that blood pressure may increase during perimenopause.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2026
-
Ship tracking information indicates the vessel had made a recent stop at Celebration Key, the cruise line’s private island, before the incident, Cruise Hive reported.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Before Marseille’s 1-0 win at Le Havre last weekend, the squad were confined to the club’s La Commanderie training base for four consecutive days as a punitive measure after a succession of poor performances.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
There was some progress on issues like tax credits, while other measures, like AI regulations and new labor requirements, could introduce new burdens on a range of industries, groups argue.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Issued by the Wyoming Stable Token Commission, a state instrumentality created under the Wyoming Stable Token Act (2023), FRNT is fully reserved and managed in partnership with Franklin Templeton.—
Jason Brett,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
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
-
For years, the narrative around artificial intelligence in wealth management has framed it as a threat, with algorithms eventually replacing advisors, automating relationships and commoditizing trust.—
Dan Cavanaugh,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Business records show that Lytvynchuk, who boasted about his wealth when confronted about his actions by angry passersby, owns a logistics and trucking company based in Kent, Washington.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The title implies that it will be set before the 1974 film, in which Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced Fronk-en-steen), played by Gene Wilder, is lured back to Transylvania and picks up his grandfather Victor’s experiments with re-animating the dead.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2026
-
This implies a six-month swing all the way from record net short to a level near the net long position held in early 2024, which is the last time that prices reached a dollar per pound.—
SJ Guest Editorial,
Footwear News,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Means.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/means. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
