Synonyms of mean
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as in to signify 
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as in to matter
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as in to intend
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as in to indicate
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as in middle
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as in doing
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as in ministry
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as in worth
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as in average
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as in low
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as in stingy
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as in cruel
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as in dirty
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as in inferior
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as in awesome
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as in dilapidated
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as in lame
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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
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3
as in to intend
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
I mean to win this race
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1
as in middle
a middle point between extremes
that candidate's moderate views were seen as the mean that voters were looking for
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2
as in doing
means plural
an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result
won the competition by fair and honest means
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3
as in ministry
means plural
something used to achieve an end
the ends don't justify the means
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4
as in worth
means plural
the total of one's money and property
a woman of considerable means
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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?
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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
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2
as in stingy
giving or sharing as little as possible
a mean child who hoarded all her toys
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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
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4
as in dirty
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
a mean trick to play on a trusting person
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5
as in inferior
of little or less value or merit
it's no mean feat to memorize that long poem
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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
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7
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
he worked hard to escape the mean neighborhood of his youth
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mean
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Honda Five- and Seven-Seat EV SUV Died July 2025
This month, Honda reportedly nixed a new EV series meant to hit the roads starting in 2026.
—Aarian Marshall, Wired News, 19 July 2025
Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
Her administration has not shared the exact locations of emergency shelters housing migrants and local families, but some have been confirmed through other means.
—Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 9 July 2025
Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 25 June 2025
Yosemite Hospitality's overall rating is mean to identify the areas needed for improvement, and NPS did not state if the contract would be terminated.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Verb
Of course, this doesn’t mean that appreciation is the ultimate solution for relational inequity — both partners actively stepping up to do their bit is.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Honda Five- and Seven-Seat EV SUV Died July 2025
This month, Honda reportedly nixed a new EV series meant to hit the roads starting in 2026.
—Aarian Marshall, Wired News, 19 July 2025
Noun
Even in relatively small major-league stadiums, Rosner said, selling out means bringing 2.5 million people through the turnstiles each year.
—Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
Her administration has not shared the exact locations of emergency shelters housing migrants and local families, but some have been confirmed through other means.
—Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 9 July 2025
Adjective
The apes also spent a mean total of 76 minutes napping each day, over 1-2 different nests and multiple bouts of rest.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 25 June 2025
Yosemite Hospitality's overall rating is mean to identify the areas needed for improvement, and NPS did not state if the contract would be terminated.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mean
Verb
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In 1925, the Buckeyes and Fighting Illini chose a live turtle to signify their long-lasting spirit of competition.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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The Cree, located primarily in Canada, know it as the molting moon to indicate the time of year when birds are shedding their feathers, while the Tlingit tribe in the Pacific Northwest Coast call it the salmon moon to signify the seasonal salmon migrations.—
Gina Park,
CNN Money,
9 July 2025
Verb
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Small is beautiful, and these local Prides matter deeply.—
Josh Rivera,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
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And in this moment, as history repeats and borders tighten, that pride matters more than ever.—
Daisy Maldonado,
Vogue,
8 July 2025
Verb
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However, Hwang never intended that to be the message.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
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The pop culture phenomenon features documentaries, educational programming and entertainment shows intended to celebrate and explore the biology, behavior and importance of sharks within marine ecosystems.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
10 July 2025
Verb
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There’s no evidence to indicate Cook is going anywhere soon.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
15 July 2025
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Curiously, there was no representative from Prince William and Kate Middleton in the talks, and reports indicate the two are approaching the possible reconciliation carefully.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
15 July 2025
Noun
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Carlson aims to aid the Chicago White Sox up the middle in the future after being selected by the team with the No. 10 pick in the 2025 MLB draft on Sunday.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
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Gomber got the dangerous De La Cruz to ground into a fielder’s choice, but Austin Hayes drove an RBI single up the middle to score Friedl, tying the game 2-2.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
13 July 2025
Noun
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The three Republican senators and two GOP members who voted against the legislation weren't Musk's doing.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
10 July 2025
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My firing from the band and the subsequent trials and tribulations caused by the actions of the band’s management and the band’s old label that made things challenging for me weren’t completely my doing.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
8 July 2025
Noun
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China: Coercion Cannot Solve Ukraine War Lin Jian, spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said at a press briefing on Tuesday, July 15, that Beijing's position on ending the Ukraine war has been consistent and clear, and that it can only be achieved through dialogue and negotiation.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
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Discussions about his health were later banned in the media, with the Cameroon interior ministry declaring it a national security matter.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Both prevailed, and went on to receive billions of dollars’ worth of federal contracts, clearing the way for others.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
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Police arrested a man who allegedly tried to carry almost $3 million worth of drugs in his suitcase in Atlanta.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mean. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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