as in malice
the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm nothing more than unprovoked meanness drove him to smash the child's toy
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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 meanness Trump’s petulance, meanness, and willingness to punish a religious institution for its Church’s moral witness is a warning to every faith community in America. —
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026 Would there be perpetual meanness and the absence of kindness toward each other as human beings? —Kevin Powell, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 The result is a movie where the jokes are just mean, and the meanness isn’t funny, leading to a cynical denouement that’s been done many times before. —Katie Rife, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2026 Scott inflicts Ohm’s nonchalant meanness with a piercingly perverse matter-of-factness that places the character as far away as possible from the realm of likeability. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026 There is still some of that here, but a lot of Martin’s light-touch meanness is drowned out by his insistence on describing his characters within the context of early COVID — pulling out those masks from the closet. —Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026 There is still some of that here, but a lot of Martin’s light-touch meanness is drowned out by his insistence on describing his characters within the context of early COVID — pulling out those masks from the closet. —Emma Alpern, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026 It is hoped that political ad campaigns would aim to lessen the meanness and divisiveness and vulgarity that have damaged our democracy. —Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026 The world has a lot of meanness in it. —Ken Makin, Christian Science Monitor, 9 July 2025
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026 Would there be perpetual meanness and the absence of kindness toward each other as human beings? —Kevin Powell, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 The result is a movie where the jokes are just mean, and the meanness isn’t funny, leading to a cynical denouement that’s been done many times before. —Katie Rife, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2026 Scott inflicts Ohm’s nonchalant meanness with a piercingly perverse matter-of-factness that places the character as far away as possible from the realm of likeability. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026 There is still some of that here, but a lot of Martin’s light-touch meanness is drowned out by his insistence on describing his characters within the context of early COVID — pulling out those masks from the closet. —Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026 There is still some of that here, but a lot of Martin’s light-touch meanness is drowned out by his insistence on describing his characters within the context of early COVID — pulling out those masks from the closet. —Emma Alpern, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026 It is hoped that political ad campaigns would aim to lessen the meanness and divisiveness and vulgarity that have damaged our democracy. —Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026 The world has a lot of meanness in it. —Ken Makin, Christian Science Monitor, 9 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meanness
Noun
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The jury did not find Mimms guilty of malice murder.— Dan Raby, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
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Coel bites into the acerbic bitterness of that history in their early exchanges, with a vein of malice in questions supposedly intended to reveal who Mary has become and hence what kind of dress will feel true to her.— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This action demonstrates the president’s monumental cruelty, total lack of empathy and compassion, pathological narcissism, boundless vengefulness, abysmal ignorance and glaring immaturity.— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
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An animal cruelty investigation was also initiated in Denton County due to the living conditions observed involving both individuals and animals.— S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The woman’s death was caused by blood clotting issues and snake venom, The Mendocino Voice reported.— Don Sweeney April 21, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
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The injured party should not apply a tourniquet, apply ice, try to suck out the venom or cut the wound, the agency warned.— Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Hard fouls, trash talk and verbal jabs on the floor, and in the media, set a slight tone of hatred that fuels competitiveness and creates lasting memories.— Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2026
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Like Carlson, his hatred of Jews led him to claim support for the one minority with which the state of the Jewish people is in conflict.— Alan M. Dershowitz, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Meanness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/meanness. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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