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mean Synonyms

Another word for mean

Choosing another word for mean depends on context, so the 93 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 12 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
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• adjective (Context 1)

Unkind, spiteful, or unfair toward others.

Usage Example

"It was unkind of him to tease his younger sister about her drawing."

Strongest
unkind
spiteful
mean-spirited
cruel
nasty
Strong
malicious
vicious
callous
petty
unfair

• verb (Context 2)

To convey, indicate, or refer to a particular idea, object, or definition (of a word, text, or symbol).

Usage Example

"The red flashing light means that the train is approaching the crossing."

Strongest
signify
denote
indicate
Strong
convey
stand for
represent
symbolize
express
imply
spell

• verb (Context 3)

To intend to convey, indicate, or achieve something.

Usage Example

"I did not intend to interrupt your presentation earlier."

Strongest
intend
Strong
aim
plan
propose
design
drive at
get at
Weak
contemplate

• verb (Context 4)

To design or destine someone or something for a particular purpose (usually in the passive voice).

Usage Example

"This lightweight jacket was never meant for subzero winter weather."

Strongest
intend
destine
design
Strong
earmark
fate
ordain
predestine
tailor

• verb (Context 5)

To have as a logical consequence or result.

Usage Example

"Accepting the promotion will entail relocating to the Chicago office."

Strongest
entail
involve
necessitate
Strong
require
lead to
result in
bring about
produce

• verb (Context 6)

To be of specified importance or value to someone.

Usage Example

"Your support during the project meant a great deal to the entire team."

Strongest
matter
Strong
count
signify
weigh

• noun (Context 7)

The value obtained by dividing the sum of several quantities by their number; a mathematical average.

Usage Example

"To find the arithmetic average, add all the test scores together and divide by the number of students."

Strongest
average
Strong
norm
midpoint
Weak
median
par

• adjective (Context 8)

Unwilling to give or share things, especially money; not generous.

Usage Example

"He has always been too stingy to leave a proper tip at restaurants."

Strongest
stingy
miserly
tightfisted
ungenerous
parsimonious
penny-pinching
Strong
tight
cheap
niggardly
closefisted

• adjective (Context 9)

Calculated as a mathematical average, or occupying a middle position between two extremes.

Usage Example

"Scientists recorded a slight increase in the average annual temperature across the region."

Strongest
average
Strong
intermediate
middle
median
normal
standard
Weak
moderate

• adjective (Context 10)

Informally, excellent, skillful, or impressive.

Usage Example

"Her grandfather still plays a excellent game of chess at eighty years old."

Strongest
excellent
skillful
impressive
Strong
formidable
great
superb
first-rate
terrific
fine
adept

• noun (Context 11)

A condition, quality, or course of action that is equally removed from two opposite extremes.

Usage Example

"Aristotle argued that virtue lies in finding the golden middle ground between excess and deficiency."

Strongest
middle ground
happy medium
golden mean
Strong
medium
compromise
balance
midpoint
moderation
center

• adjective (Context 12)

Poor in quality and appearance; shabby or humble.

Usage Example

"The poet spent his final years living in a shabby little cottage near the docks."

Strongest
shabby
squalid
wretched
Strong
humble
run-down
dilapidated
dingy
seedy
modest
Weak
seedier

Opposites of mean

The opposite of mean shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:

kind
generous
extreme
nice
luxurious
grand
poor
palatial
See all opposites of mean

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Mean. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/mean
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