Definitions

by no means

Part of Speech:

All (3) Adverb (2) Interjection (1)

Jump To:

ADVERB

hardly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

barely comparatively practically rarely seldom simply somewhat

STRONG

just

WEAK

almost inconceivably almost not by a hair detectably faintly gradually imperceptibly infrequently little no more than no way not a bit not at all not by much not likely not markedly not measurably not much not notably not noticeably not often not quite once in a blue moon only only just perceptibly pretty near scantly slightly sparsely sporadically with trouble

Antonyms

STRONGEST

frequently

WEAK

very

ADVERB

nope

Synonyms

WEAK

absolutely not nay negative never nix no way not at all not by any means nothing doing

INTERJECTION

Synonyms

STRONGEST

negative

STRONG

nix

WEAK

absolutely not never no way not at all not by any means

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

by no means

“It’s by no means looking better, but at least there’s movement,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

Harrison, of course, was by no means alone.

From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2026

Such a view is by no means unanimous, though.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026

You can argue the system is better, but it is by no means fixed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

It was by no means underhanded, because the Thunderhead was incapable of underhandedness.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman