Another word for mean could be signify, intend or imply if you mean the verb, or unkind, cruel and stingy for the adjective. The same four letters describe what a word stands for, what a person plans, and a person who is not nice.
So the first step is to check your sentence. Does mean have a subject doing something (this sign means stop) or is it describing someone (he was mean to me)? The sections below give each synonym for mean in its own lane, with plenty of examples.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps (verb)
signify, indicate, imply, intendBest swaps (adjective)
unkind, nasty, cruel, stingyPart of speech
Verb, adjective and noun (an average)Most formal
denote, signify, maliciousMost casual
get at, catty, tightAntonyms
kind, generous, niceWatch out
Mean as stingy is more common in British English. In American English, mean usually means unkind.
Another word for mean, sorted by sense
| Use | Synonyms | Example |
|---|---|---|
| what something stands for | signify, indicate, denote, stand for | On maps, a skull signifies danger. |
| a hidden message | imply, suggest, hint | Are you implying I was late? |
| a plan | intend, plan, aim | I intended to call you back. |
| a result | lead to, entail, involve | The new job will involve travel. |
| unkind behavior | unkind, nasty, spiteful | That comment was spiteful. |
| tight with money | stingy, tight, miserly | He is too stingy to tip. |
The verb: signify, imply or intend?
These three get mixed up, so here is the split. Signify and denote describe what a sign, word or symbol stands for: a dove signifies peace. Imply describes what a speaker suggests without saying it outright. Intend is about a person's plan: I did not intend to upset anyone.
- What does this word mean becomes what does this word denote (formal) or what does this word stand for.
- What do you mean by that becomes what are you getting at or what are you implying.
- I meant to text you becomes I intended to text you.
- More rain means more floods becomes more rain will lead to more floods.
For the wider idea of standing in for something, the represent synonyms page has more.
The adjective: how unkind is it?
The chips at the top cover the unkind sense from soft to harsh. Unkind is gentle and fair. Rude is about manners. Nasty adds ill will. Spiteful means wanting to hurt someone in return. Cruel is the strongest and suggests real harm, often on purpose.
A parent writing to a teacher: "Some kids have been mean to my son." Saying "Some classmates have been leaving my son out and making hurtful remarks" tells the teacher exactly what is happening, which helps them act.
For words that talk about this behavior with children, unkind and hurtful are calmer than cruel and still clear.
Mean with money
In British and Australian speech, a mean person often means a stingy one: he is too mean to buy a round. Tight is casual, miserly is strong, and penny-pinching can be gentle or critical. Thrifty and frugal are not synonyms, because they praise careful spending rather than criticize it.
Meant, meaning and the other forms
For meant, use intended, signified or implied: I intended no harm. For meaning as a noun, try sense, definition, significance or message. A meaningful look is a knowing look; see the meaningful synonyms page for more. In math, the mean is the average, a different figure from the median or the mode.
In casual American slang, mean can praise skill: she plays a mean guitar. Excellent or brilliant are the swaps there, never cruel.
Antonyms of mean
For the unkind sense, kind, nice, caring and warm are the opposites. For the stingy sense, generous and openhanded fit. The verb has no true antonym, though you can say it does not signify anything or it is meaningless.
- Our coach was kind about my missed goal.
- Our neighbors are generous with their time.
Frequently asked questions
Which synonym for mean describes a person best?
Unkind, nasty, rude and spiteful are the most common. Cruel is much stronger, so keep it for behavior that truly hurts.
In an essay, how should I replace mean?
For the verb, use signify, indicate, imply or suggest, depending on the sentence. For the adjective, use unkind, harsh or ungenerous, which sound more measured.
What does I didn't mean it mean?
It means the speaker did not intend the words or action, or did not say it seriously. You can write I did not intend that or it was not deliberate.
Kind, generous or nice: which is the opposite of mean?
All three, depending on sense. Kind and nice oppose the unkind sense. Generous is the opposite of the stingy sense.
Is mean the same as average?
In math, yes. The mean is the sum of the values divided by how many there are. Average is the everyday word for it.
Which words are harsher than mean?
Cruel, vicious and malicious are stronger. They suggest a wish to cause harm, not just a thoughtless remark.