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 careful
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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
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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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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
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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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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
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2
as in careful
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
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
The Arnie used to have a field of 120 players, which meant there were a lot more golfers playing, a lot more golf to watch and much more hustle and bustle on the course — especially during the first two days of the tournament before the field was cut.
—Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2025
Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Tournaments all prevented their league's regular-season champ from taking home two trophies (though none of those three went on Cinderella runs, by any means).
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
Tony Blengino, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Changing to the keto diet led to a decrease in mean body weight of 4.2 kg (9.3 lb) and a decrease in mean body mass index (BMI) by 1.5 kg/m2.
—New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Verb
Trump already has run afoul of the Constitution with his order meant to curb birthright citizenship.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
The Arnie used to have a field of 120 players, which meant there were a lot more golfers playing, a lot more golf to watch and much more hustle and bustle on the course — especially during the first two days of the tournament before the field was cut.
—Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2025
Noun
During Trump’s first term, invoking the Administrative Procedure Act became the primary means by which Democratic attorneys general, as well as groups like the American Civil Liberties Union, halted the President’s policies.
—Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Tournaments all prevented their league's regular-season champ from taking home two trophies (though none of those three went on Cinderella runs, by any means).
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Its mean velocity was a well above average 96.2 mph.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Changing to the keto diet led to a decrease in mean body weight of 4.2 kg (9.3 lb) and a decrease in mean body mass index (BMI) by 1.5 kg/m2.
—New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mean
Verb
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This commitment signifies a departure from traditional norms, a bold strategy aiming to redefine consumer expectations.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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However, tongue bleeding can also signify other conditions, including vitamin deficiency, infections, or cancer.—
Kelly Burch Published,
Verywell Health,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But acquiring a younger, cheaper option at quarterback won’t matter if the Seahawks can’t give him that same level of support, starting with the offensive line.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
The Athletic,
11 Mar. 2025
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Can tariffs pay for a budget deficit when Social Security, Medicare and the interest payments on our debt are what really matter and there’s $36 trillion of national debt to be made up by them?—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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There is also a yoke instead of a steering wheel, part of the car’s steer-by-wire system, which is intended to improve maneuverability by varying the car’s steering response at different speeds.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
12 Mar. 2025
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All the bills are intended to prevent such operations from opening in the U.S. Seafood company Nueva Pescanova is seeking permits to build the world's first commercial octopus farm, with tanks on a dock, in Spain's Canary Islands, NPR reported.—
Alexandria Sands,
Axios,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Among the instances of money laundering done through TD Bank as indicated in the settlement agreement was the laundering of $474 million in cash from fentanyl sales in the United States by Chinese criminal syndicates.—
Steve Weisman,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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Our findings indicate that vacant lots also have a negative effect on the property values of surrounding homes.—
Camila Alvayay Torrejon,
The Conversation,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Piling snow in the middle or at the bottom of a slope can cause a dam effect, resulting in an icy mess during freezing and thawing cycles.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Mar. 2025
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The Bar at Asher Adams The hotel's signature bar sits in the middle of its main hall built into the train station's original ticket windows with a wall of clocks above.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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There’s a historical context to it now, but the doing of it was amazing.—
Alison Weinflash,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2025
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For example, the White House Correspondents Association decides which reporters go into small spaces like the Oval Office or Air Force One to report on the president’s doings.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Ukrainian defense ministry capture Watching and waiting outside the ruins of Ulakly in eastern Ukraine in recent days, Ukrainian drones demonstrated how Kyiv’s drone crews and artillery gunners work together to spot, track, fix and finish off Russian assault troops.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
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Newsweek has contacted the Ukrainian foreign ministry for comment.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The tariffs threaten to raise the prices Americans pay for a wide array of products that are imported from the three nations, which collectively shipped $1.4 trillion worth of goods to the US last year — more than 40% of the value of US imports.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN,
4 Mar. 2025
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Canada will be implementing 25% tariffs against $155 billion worth of American goods, starting with tariffs on $30 billion worth immediately, and the remaining $125 billion in 21 days.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mean. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
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