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

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

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

mean 1 of 4

verb

ˈmēn

Definition of mean next

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in doing

means plural an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result won the competition by fair and honest means

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

How is the word mean distinct from other similar nouns?

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

How is the word mean distinct from other similar nouns?

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

How is the word mean distinct from other similar nouns?

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

William is next in line to the throne, meaning that George, Charlotte and Louis are second, third and fourth in line, respectively. —

Jack Guy, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026 Digital media has influenced what ‘putting yourself out there’ means. —

Emily Bloch, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026

Adjective

Doping with the aluminum stuff boosted the mean conductivity by a factor of 10. —

ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026 Hey, don’t be mean to that chicken! —

Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 23 Apr. 2026

Noun

Still, this isn’t a bad group by any means, and the team could easily go into the season with Barmore, Durden, Taylor, Williams and Farmer/Gregory. —

Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2026 The use of new media to gather information involves new skills of verification and cannot fully substitute for traditional means of journalism. —

Kirstin Pellizzaro, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mean

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mean

Verb

The follow-up session resulted in commitment to the concept of the United Nations, which, moving forward, signified the Allies’ goals in World War II.

— Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
These walls signify what that sacrifice has meant across nearly two centuries.

— Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026

Definition of signify

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Style

“Mean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mean. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of mean

verb

adjective (1)

adjective (2)

noun

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Phrases Containing mean

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How 'Mean' Became Nasty

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on mean

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Word of the Day

Beltane

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Other Words for Beautiful

The Words of the Week - May 1

Was 'nervous Nellie' a Real Person?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

The Longest Long Words List

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Games & Quizzes