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Definition of meanness

meanness

/ˈmiːn.nəs/
mean · ness
Adverb:meanly
•
Plural:meannesses
•
Adjective:mean
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meanness Lexical Profile

meanness Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The quality or state of being unkind, spiteful, or malicious toward others; an act of petty cruelty.

Example

"There was a streak of petty meanness in the way he criticized the junior staff."

2

Unwillingness to give or share things, especially money; extreme stinginess.

Example

"His legendary meanness kept him from ever tipping the restaurant staff."

3

The state of being shabby, poor in quality, or low in social status; baseness or inferiority.

Example

"The novel vividly depicts the physical meanness of the overcrowded tenement buildings."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

In American English, "meanness" primarily refers to unkindness, malice, or bad temper, whereas in British English it most commonly denotes stinginess or an unwillingness to spend money.

• Rhymes for meanness

• Nearby Words

meaninglessly
meaninglessness
meanly
meanness
means
meanspiritedness
meantime

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Meanness. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/meanness
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