means 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of mean
1
as in signifies
to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind the national anthem means various things to various people

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in intends
to have in mind as a purpose or goal I mean to win this race

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in indicates
to serve as a sign or symptom of these colder nights mean autumn has truly arrived

Synonyms & Similar Words

means

2 of 2

noun

plural of mean
1
as in measure
an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result won the competition by fair and honest means

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2
as in instrumentality
something used to achieve an end the ends don't justify the means

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in wealth
the total of one's money and property a woman of considerable means

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 means
Verb
His call-up to the 40-man roster, however, means the Mariners cannot contact him during a potential December 1st lockout, which could hinder his development. — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 The below-average pass rush means the vulnerable secondary could be overly exposed. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026 Another almost perfectly equidistant location, and yes this means three games in Iowa. — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 To travel well often means opening yourself up to discomfort or difference, which inherently means a willingness to make a fool of yourself. — Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2026 In China, anyone who holds a position of authority is almost certainly a party member, and being kicked out of the party means the end of one’s political career. — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026 And right now, all that means is finding the rest of the enemy combatants. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2026 Basic economic theory says landowners would wait for others to spend the time, money and energy to control hogs—which means nobody does, and the problems grow. — Chris Boyer, Scientific American, 16 Aug. 2026 The new points system that puts an emphasis on season performance means the postseason is not nearly as volatile. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Noun
Ballistic missile attacks have increased civilian casualties and infrastructure damage across Ukraine - and Patriots are the only means of shooting them down. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026 Creamer’s group then sued O’Keefe and Maass over the video and their means of achieving the undercover clips. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026 One such means is to use modern-era AI to identify errors and apprise the therapist as a handy heads-up. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Running a business this tiny means there's no department to call when something goes wrong. — Bradley Alvelo, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026 The key was not just to be a producer of microdramas, but also to own the means of distribution. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026 Defense attorney Steve Haney argued that there was no evidence Rinderknecht started the blaze, that the fire could have been started by a firework or other means and that the fire scene was not secured. — Sierra Van Der Brug, Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026 These are people who genuinely want, and have the means, to make a real difference. — Nick Allardice, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026 Because creating that avenue was a theme of loss and remembering and what forgetting or remembering means for a character. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for means
  1. signifies
  2. matters
  3. intends
  4. indicates
  5. measure
  6. instrumentality
  7. wealth
  8. implies
Verb
  • This new event title sponsorship signifies a deeper commitment, moving beyond the initial agreement focused on fan engagement.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The clash signifies a significant break in the relationship between Smith and the NABJ, which hosted Smith and live broadcasts of his show at its 2024 and 2025 conventions.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of signifies
Verb
  • New York’s actions are a clear statement that due process still matters and children deserve a fair hearing before life-altering decisions are made about their futures.
    — Meena Shah, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Decide for yourself what matters to you, your family and your community.
    — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of matters
Verb
  • Jeanie intends to litigate to prevent the sale, which could otherwise lead to her termination as governor.
    — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • If the pilot project is successful and money becomes available, Oceanside intends to expand the restoration to beaches as far south as the Carlsbad border.
    — Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of intends
Verb
  • Democrats say the flip indicates voters want education to move on from political fights over social issues, while conservatives point to their wins.
    — Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The report indicates that Dcoop is now in pole position to secure the takeover of Deoleo, leading the likes of Italian companies Coricelli, Bonifiche Ferraresi and Newlat Food, French firm Lesieur (Avril), and Australia's Cobram Estate Olive.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of indicates
Noun
  • Those are pretty standard penalties, but then there are two creative add-on disciplinary measures.
    — Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In Hangzhou, the latest assault claims have seen multiple companies initiate internal accountability measures, according to political news outlet Guancha, while the official investigation is ongoing.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of measure
Noun
  • Issued by the Wyoming Stable Token Commission, a state instrumentality created under the Wyoming Stable Token Act (2023), FRNT is fully reserved and managed in partnership with Franklin Templeton.
    — Jason Brett, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Holding the weight of cotton’s influence on the world, and thus the instrumentality of Black labor, is painful, yet necessary work.
    — Cierra Black, Essence, 9 July 2025
Definition of instrumentality
Noun
  • With median monthly costs around $4,800 to buy versus $2,800 to rent, experts say disciplined renters can invest the difference and potentially reach homeownership — or long-term wealth — faster.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • And now, his wealth is taking him to the world of professional sports.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of wealth
Verb
  • The end of season 3, in which Nat seems to set their rescue in motion, implies that the show’s ‘90s timeline may soon follow the survivors back in the real world.
    — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Aug. 2026
  • News of his death, and its circumstances, has been cloaked in journalistic language that implies suicide, emulating the opacity of suicide itself.
    — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of implies

Phrases Containing means

Browse Nearby Words

meanness
means
mean-spirited
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Cite this Entry

“Means.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/means. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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