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mean

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noun

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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

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adjective (1)

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adjective (2)

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word mean distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of mean are average, median, and norm. While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes.

a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°

In what contexts can average take the place of mean?

Although the words average and mean have much in common, average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures.

scored an average of 85 on tests

When could median be used to replace mean?

While the synonyms median and mean are close in meaning, median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below.

average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars

When is it sensible to use norm instead of mean?

The words norm and mean can be used in similar contexts, but norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade.

scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

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
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
  • This commitment signifies a departure from traditional norms, a bold strategy aiming to redefine consumer expectations.
    Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • However, tongue bleeding can also signify other conditions, including vitamin deficiency, infections, or cancer.
    Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • There’s a historical context to it now, but the doing of it was amazing.
    Alison Weinflash, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025
  • 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
  • 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
  • Newsweek has contacted the Ukrainian foreign ministry for comment.
    Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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

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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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