meaning 1 of 3

noun

ˈmē-niŋ How to pronounce meaning (audio)
Definition of meaningnext
1
as in sense
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action the unmistakable meaning of the skier's upraised arms as he finished his spectacular run

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in purpose
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish the people have a right to know what the president's meaning is in getting the nation involved in this war

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

meaning

2 of 3

adjective

as in suggestive
clearly conveying a special meaning (as one's mood) gave me a meaning look after I said that

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

meaning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of mean
1
as in denoting
to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind the national anthem means various things to various people

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2
as in weighing
to be of importance your presence at my graduation would mean a lot to me

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3
as in planning
to have in mind as a purpose or goal I mean to win this race

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4
as in indicating
to serve as a sign or symptom of these colder nights mean autumn has truly arrived

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 meaning
Noun
The title of Pawel Pawlikowski’s extraordinary, compact drama Fatherland has a double meaning. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 Oct. 2026 The word has traditionally referred to hair being hand-painted, creating a more customized distribution of lighter pieces, but its meaning has evolved over time. — Marci Robin, Allure, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
To see you as a newborn child and then to look at you and to know that every step along the way, to witness that journey, is the most meaning aspect of my life. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026 For Robell Awake, the chair is a meaning-laden object, symbolic of rest, a stand-in for the human body, a reflection of historical power dynamics. — Felicia Feaster, AJC.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
The California Department of Education clarified that a waiver the district received only applies to the 80% staffing rule and does not extend the three-year spending deadline, meaning unexpended funds revert to the state. — Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026 The case is being heard as a bench trial, meaning a judge, not a jury, will decide the outcome. — Alice Gainer, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for meaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meaning
  1. sense
  2. purpose
  3. suggestive
  4. denoting
  5. weighing
  6. planning
  7. indicating
  8. significance
Noun
  • The tightness of White’s control over his arrangements can occasionally foreclose the sense of chaotic freedom inherent to his more collaborative efforts.
    — Ryan Meehan, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • This approach was meant to counter Vucic's one-man rule and restore a sense of community and solidarity.
    — JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of sense
Noun
  • Its purpose is to help eliminate malignant cells that may remain after surgery, reducing the chance of another tumor taking hold.
    — Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The decor nods to her career without losing sight of the hotel’s purpose as a place to unwind after a day exploring Music City.
    — Tracey Teo, AJC.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of purpose
Adjective
  • The effect dissipates somewhat whenever Cahyono resorts to less suggestive, more blatantly surreal imagery.
    — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Though revealing, his version of naked dressing was tantalizingly suggestive rather than explicitly bare.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of suggestive
Verb
  • The cinematic film follows a number of wrestlers in different stages of their careers, including a yokozuna, a title denoting the highest rank in professional sumo, over the course of a year.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The following table, like others below, shows their ages on June 1, 2030, with greens highlighting younger players and reds denoting those who’ll be over 30.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of denoting
Verb
  • Nvidia's flagship Vera Rubin product is a seven-foot rack containing 72 GPUs and weighing as much as a pickup truck.
    — Kif Leswing,Isabel O'Brien, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The salty bacon and fluffy eggs formed that classic breakfast flavor, while the potatoes added a satisfying heartiness without weighing the taco down.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of weighing
Verb
  • All three men are planning to address the court, and their attorneys will give a presentation on each brother’s behalf, according to court filings.
    — Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The company is planning to launch a handful of new shows over the next few months, with a longer-term goal of having 12-16 channels led by creators who are subject matter experts.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of planning
Verb
  • In the region that includes Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada, the proportion of flu tests that come back positive reached at least 10% last week, indicating significant levels of flu.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Polls suggest the race is essentially tied, with some indicating Jackson has a razor-thin lead.
    — Chantelle Lee, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of indicating
Noun
  • The technology’s significance extends beyond completing individual development milestones.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Opel/Stellantis GM walked away from Opel in 2017 and American buyers rarely get a taste of modern Opel products, but the STX has significance for the broader global market.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of significance

Browse Nearby Words

meanies
meaning
meaningful
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Cite this Entry

“Meaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meaning. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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