meaning 1 of 3

noun

ˈmē-niŋ How to pronounce meaning (audio)
Definition of meaningnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

meaning

2 of 3

adjective

as in suggestive
clearly conveying a special meaning (as one's mood) gave me a meaning look after I said that

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

meaning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of mean
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Noun
Having worked with Scott for decades now, Gregson-Williams was able to interpret the question and determine its meaning. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2026 Serialization itself is interesting—the inadvertent or almost incidental meaning that can come from putting one thing next to another thing. — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 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
At 441 feet high, the lookout is the highest point of elevation in the area, meaning a bird’s eye view of the forest’s colorful canopy. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026 Ukraine’s education minister, Andrii Butenko, said in August that 8,424 of the country's general secondary schools will operate in person, 1,306 remotely, and 2,211 in a blended format — meaning nearly a third cannot open fully in person. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for meaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meaning
  1. sense
  2. purpose
  3. suggestive
  4. denoting
  5. weighing
  6. planning
  7. indicating
  8. significance
Noun
  • In that sense, hitting one in his second career at-bat, which was sandwiched by two strikeouts, was fitting.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Combining unexpected items can make a lot of sense and save precious space in your backpack.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of sense
Noun
  • By the end of Saturday night, the sanctuary had served two purposes at once.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Chevy provided The Drive with travel, accommodations, and access to the vehicle for the purpose of writing this review.
    — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of purpose
Adjective
  • Messages in 2024 between Johnson and Duffey revealed the two men used suggestive language.
    — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • They are not allowed to send or receive pornography, but there are no rules against suggestive photos.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of suggestive
Verb
  • Eligible cars would receive special license plates denoting the car as a historic vehicle and be insured as collector motor vehicles.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • There’s one shaped like a hand grenade; another bears a white-sheet-ghost novelty trinket over the lid, denoting a ghost pepper sauce.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of denoting
Verb
  • The 10-photo carousel included the first photos of their baby boy, who entered the world weighing 8 lbs.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
  • But Karen Guzzo, an expert on family development and demographic trends at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said many American couples who are weighing parenthood need this kind of help.
    — Brian Mann, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of weighing
Verb
  • Scenario planning moves from an annual event to a quarterly discipline.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The festival will also open one day earlier than in previous years, on Tuesday, October 6, giving audiences greater flexibility in planning their visits and screenings.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of planning
Verb
  • Additionally, the hoard contained both Arab and Anglo-Saxon coins, indicating the Vikings’ involvement in broader economic exchange between Europe and Southwest Asia during this period.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Among adult pedestrians killed in nighttime crashes, about a third had blood alcohol levels indicating intoxication; so did about 20% of those killed during the day.
    — Paula Span, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of indicating
Noun
  • The first prince of Norwegian descent born in 567 years, his birth held special significance for the young Norwegian monarchy.
    — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Two days later, then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin canceled them, saying a decision of such significance should rest with him.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of significance

Browse Nearby Words

meanies
meaning
meaningful
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Meaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meaning. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about meaning

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