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 careful
-
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 careful
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
Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
Controlling a fire means ensuring that the fire can't spread or cross the containment line.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 22 May 2025
It is intended to streamline the removal of individuals who are deemed inadmissible under specific grounds, primarily for lacking proper documentation or for using fraudulent means to enter the country.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 5 May 2025
Their giant, phony smiles reminded me of dolphins circling their prey and their mean laughter is blended into the sound of cackling birds.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Verb
Although research has shown that wet hair stretches more than dry hair before breaking, Erdogan clarified that this doesn’t mean the hair is more flexible and resilient.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
Controlling a fire means ensuring that the fire can't spread or cross the containment line.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
Noun
Instead, defendant himself knowingly and willfully made that threat, which defendant admits was a threat to unlawfully damage or destroy a building by means of fire or an explosive.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 22 May 2025
It is intended to streamline the removal of individuals who are deemed inadmissible under specific grounds, primarily for lacking proper documentation or for using fraudulent means to enter the country.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
Adjective
Right after, Order 66 kicks off with Anakin (now Darth Vader) murdering Jocasta Nu (the mean Jedi library lady) in cold blood.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 5 May 2025
Their giant, phony smiles reminded me of dolphins circling their prey and their mean laughter is blended into the sound of cackling birds.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mean
Verb
-
With Bitcoin presently trading around $106,000, this signifies a solid 55% gain on their investment.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
The ink on his crown — a large number 6 — signifies his status as the sixth member of a small but increasingly visible community: a local band of barbers and tattoo artists who call themselves Viet Chicanos.—
Stephanie Yang,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Neal Earley,
Arkansas Online,
22 May 2025
-
DraftKings Promo Code for Knicks-Pacers Game 1 The odds for your opening bet don't matter, so try finding a likely outcome to have the best chance at winning the bonus.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
The live-action Lilo & Stitch was originally intended to to go straight to Disney+, helping to explain its modest $100 million production budget.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2025
-
Kyiv had intended on using it as a key bargaining chip in any peace talks.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN Money,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
That study, which reviewed data from 2009 to 2014, indicated that 8.7 million U.S. children – or roughly 1 in 8 – lived with a parent, or parents, with substance use disorder.—
Ty Schepis,
The Conversation,
30 May 2025
-
In previous years, rent also rose faster in these areas compared with the rest of the county, but the gap grew post-fires, which experts said indicates the fires are the likely cause.—
Phi Do,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Using the middle of the ice for outlets has been effective for the Oilers, but Florida will have scouted Edmonton, and new wrinkles may be required.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
-
He wasn't activated until the middle of April, and made just seven appearances this season, not allowing a run in 5.2 innings of work.—
Noah Camras,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Despite the big doings at the Garden, Ion’s opening slate is formidable, as the network tips off its season with the Minnesota Lynx and Dallas Wings in the 7:30 p.m. ET window, followed by the franchise premiere of the Golden State Valkyries in the late slot.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
16 May 2025
-
Digging the United States out of this mess will take some doing.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Newsweek has reached out the State Department and the foreign ministries of Iran and Israel for comment.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
-
Military and civilian staff from defense and foreign ministries could work together to develop proposals for governance and decision-making processes, including personnel structures and consultation mechanisms that form the engine rooms of day-to-day alliance management.—
ELY RATNER,
Foreign Affairs,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
With the switch, the five years’ worth of orders under NSSF Phase 2 have ULA with 25 missions ordered to SpaceX’s 23 missions, for what was originally targeted to be a 60% to 40% order ration in favor of ULA.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2025
-
The team was confident enough in its worth in March to deem an interested party’s $1.5 billion valuation as a non-starter.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mean. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share