MEAN Synonyms: 801 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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°

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

mean 1 of 4

verb

ˈmēn

Definition of mean

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

as in to matter

to be of importance your presence at my graduation would mean a lot to me

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as in to intend

to have in mind as a purpose or goal I mean to win this race

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as in to indicate

to serve as a sign or symptom of these colder nights mean autumn has truly arrived

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mean

2 of 4

adjective (1)

ˈmēn

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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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as in stingy

giving or sharing as little as possible a mean child who hoarded all her toys

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as in inferior

of little or less value or merit it's no mean feat to memorize that long poem

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as in great

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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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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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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mean

3 of 4

adjective (2)

ˈmēn

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

mean

4 of 4

noun

ˈmēn

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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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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as in ministry

means plural something used to achieve an end the ends don't justify the means

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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

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

This could mean, say, owning a satellite—but that would only be one aspect of it. — Dr. Najwa Aaraj, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 That means Treasury will need to keep borrowing — a lot, flooding the market with bonds. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026

Adjective

For this leaner, meaner Deafheaven, stylistic variety takes a backseat to speed and chaos, and when properly executed, subtle melodic or rhythmic tweaks wield the heft of the more tectonic transitions in the band’s defining songs. — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026 There’s a wide array of options in this oddly-perfect elegant ballroom, along with a specialty chef that whips up a mean omelet before your eyes. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Noun

The fact that we’ve been highlighted and recognized means so much to me. — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2026 The world is struggling to figure out what the dawn of artificial intelligence means for society, culture and the economy. — Steve Liesman, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mean

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mean

Verb

Michelin Bib Gourmand Charlotte’s beloved Lang Van retained its Bib Gourmand designation, named after the Michelin man mascot Bibendum that’s meant to signify diners can get a high-quality meal at a great value.

— Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2026
Organized crime helped build up Las Vegas, and a body stuffed in a barrel was known to signify a mob killing.

— CBS News, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of signify

Verb

The next census count is still a few years away, but what our leaders decide now matters a great deal.

— Julie Morita, Time, 25 Oct. 2026
That means that while the AP ranking doesn’t matter for CFP qualification, the Broncos will also likely top the CFP Committee’s rankings once released.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of matter

Verb

These changes were intended to support the long-distance challenge, which required multiple crossings rather than a single uninterrupted run in one direction.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
The throw was intended for Jaxon Smith-Njigba but Williams made the interception.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of intend

Adjective

Participants fell into their roles a little too well and, after a prisoner rebellion, increasingly cruel forms of punishment from the guards and a number of students suffering mental breakdowns, the experiment was ended on the sixth day.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 25 Oct. 2026
But these townswomen — whether the undersexed Bakerwoman (Ella Bruccoleri ) or the prim, cruel busybody the Tailor’s Wife (a deliciously scheming Elizabeth Debicki) — are deeply unhappy with their own lot in life.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of cruel

Adjective

In the world of sports broadcasting, ESPN and Buck did Aikman dirty.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026
Now Gizelle has to decide whether that person is her longtime friend in real life or the woman who has spent the past several seasons doing much of her dirty work.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of dirty

Adjective

The wide availability of low-cost, powerful open models is one reason Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has warned that open models in particular pose a risk of widespread and potentially devastating cyber attacks.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
America's ability to compete internationally, which has become a central argument for expanding AI infrastructure, ranks much lower.

— Will Johnson, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of low

Adjective

Also on Weekend Update, James Austin Johnson portrayed a selfish Kevin O’Leary, the Shark Tank investor who is backing a massive data center campus in northwest Utah.

— William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2026
That’s also how Violet is thinking about their portrayal of Maureen, whose eccentric performance art and selfish behavior often give the character a bad rap.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of selfish

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Style

“Mean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mean. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mean

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Synonyms of mean

verb

adjective (1)

adjective (2)

noun

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Phrases Containing mean

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