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
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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
as in suggestive
clearly conveying a special meaning (as one's mood) gave me a meaning look after I said that
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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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
Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026 Nothing Michaels says, at these locations or in their various sit-downs, is all that revealing or candid, but Neville’s eyes are still allowed to wander, inviting viewers to latch onto Michaels’ life ephemera and read meaning onto it. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2026
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
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026 Schools’ only option is to ask their towns to pay those higher prices, meaning higher property taxes for communities that may not have much more to give. —Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for meaning
Noun
The answer is probably the former, but the album’s accumulation of lines like this is enough to throw you a bit, to let in a minor interpretive shift that changes the song’s whole meaning. —Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026 Nothing Michaels says, at these locations or in their various sit-downs, is all that revealing or candid, but Neville’s eyes are still allowed to wander, inviting viewers to latch onto Michaels’ life ephemera and read meaning onto it. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 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
Only 33% of older millennial buyers were purchasing for the first time—down from 36% the prior year—meaning the clear majority are already homeowners making their next move. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026 Schools’ only option is to ask their towns to pay those higher prices, meaning higher property taxes for communities that may not have much more to give. —Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for meaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meaning
Noun
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The story is something of a palimpsest, with Romvari’s own perspective intertwining with the character’s and conveying a sense of being both inside and outside the action.— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
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What’s left is a false sense of urgency that will lead to a budget finalized mostly in the dark, with too many decisions made by staffers and lobbyists.— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Princess Elizabeth and her family toured the Sandringham Park grounds, which were being used for agricultural purposes to contribute to the war efforts, in August 1943.— Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
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William West | Afp | Getty Images Shares in Japan's largest defense company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries climbed nearly 4% Monday after the country finalized an agreement with Australia for building three general purpose frigates.— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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For example, do different networks rate explicit language, suggestive language and violent programming similarly, or are some networks prone to provide a lesser rating than others?— Todd Spangler, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
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On Chinese social media, some people said that K-pop — with its suggestive dance moves — is not appropriate for children.— Ken Moritsugu, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Their jump wings had the tiny inlaid gold stars denoting combat jumps.— Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
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The Yemeni Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for an airstrike launched at Israel, denoting their entry into the Iran war following weeks of holding out on attacks.— Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The decision to cut back on fertilizer is weighing most on farmers in the South, where only 19% bought fertilizer ahead of time, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation report.— Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
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Five other candidates running or weighing campaigns as less progressive counterparts to Mayor Brandon Johnson raised more than $100,000, evidence that February 2027’s election will likely again feature a crowded field.— Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The district recently approved new course materials for some high school math courses, and is planning for a middle school Spanish language arts pilot and new advanced high school welding class to start next school year.— Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
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JPMorgan Chase is planning to consolidate workspace for existing Charlotte workers and account for more hiring by moving into a SouthPark office that has room for over 1,000 workers, further expanding its push into the hometown territory of rival banks.— Chase Jordan April 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Los Angeles County Office of Education is investigating the possibility that bad actors gained access to the electronic tax documents of teachers and administrators after employees at schools around the county received letters indicating fraudulent tax filings had been submitted in their names.— Jason Henry, Daily News, 18 Apr. 2026
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When the San Francisco Chronicle published its investigation, Swalwell’s campaign collapsed within 48 hours, indicating that the evidence was sufficiently substantial to immediately persuade political allies, campaign chairs, and fellow Democrats to withdraw their support.— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Yet Monday’s flyby — the first time humans had reached the moon since 1972 — held emotional significance for the crew and space enthusiasts beyond the mission’s technical objectives.— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
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The true significance of Pakistan's intervention only became clear when both sides agreed to a pause shortly after a down-to-the-wire plea from the country's prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif.— Betsy Joles, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Meaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/meaning. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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