mean
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.
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It was started three years ago by English teacher Daryl Bilandzija, a former student of Crouch’s who saw that handing over the plot to his old teacher would mean learning for his students.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026
"It can mean even more coming from a stranger."
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
In many cases, this doesn’t mean a direct investment into a child’s account.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
On page after page, Bangs—I mean, Mr. Klosterman—delivers just enough fact to make this fiction seem plausible.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
‘I mean, it could be a lynx, Or a wolverine.’
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
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New heated debates are flaring up across the industry as CEOs, researchers and policymakers grapple with what it means to pace the frontier.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 19, 2026
A high score means you’re ready for intense exercise, while a low score indicates your body needs rest.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026
Misgendering means using incorrect pronouns or other gendered language for someone, intentionally or unintentionally.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026
And finally, with the SEC opening the door to tokenized equities, they explain what it means for stocks to be traded like crypto—and why AMC is beefing with Robinhood over it.
From Slate ● Sep. 19, 2026
I am looking for one person who has telephoned me with alarming calls, but that means thirty-three have not.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
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The Financial Times's Danny Leigh dished out three stars, saying it paints a "portrait of tech rendering the young both sadder and meaner".
From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026
The meaner the Pistons get, the more their record improves.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 4, 2026
In turn, increased efficiency allows them to be meaner toward prospective employees.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 7, 2026
The soccer world is about to become a colder, darker and meaner place.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2025
His name was Captain Graves, and he was meaner than Old Lady Ellis.
From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney
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And more than a few of my closest, meanest friends.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 11, 2026
Not only has Gabriel been a lynchpin in the top-flight's meanest defence – he has caused the opposition real problems at set-plays.
From BBC ● Apr. 2, 2026
"Candidates should not try to be the meanest sheriff."
From Barron's ● Mar. 26, 2026
So, whenever my phone lights up, I can trust that I’m about to read the meanest, funniest joke imaginable about, like, Marco Rubio.
From Slate ● Jun. 26, 2025
“I’ll stop you before you even start. I may look like I was chewed up and spit out by the meanest beast in the jungle, but I’m not heartless. We’ll take the girl with us.”
From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner
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“To see how much hatred can come from a song I wrote in my living room, meant to speak on how hard it is to watch people suffer, is tragic,” the singer wrote on Instagram.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
It has meant rain-bearing areas of lower pressure to the north of the UK, high pressure to the south and stronger winds in between, creating the changeable conditions.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
The 49-year-old knew that Barrio Athletics’ “takeover” language wasn’t meant to be taken literally.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
The law requires resolutions meant to end a declared emergency to be considered within 15 days.
From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2026
For a second, Bee was sure he meant Simon being better at the language than she was.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
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Cuba relies heavily on fuel imports, meaning tight US sanctions and an oil blockade since the start of the year have exacerbated existing shortages.
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
In 2019, she violated probation a third time and was granted conditional revocable release, meaning if she got in trouble again she could face jail time, according to court records.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
Her stresses fall where speech would place them, and Kern’s melody only deepens their meaning.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
That’s how Bruce Feiler, author of “A Time to Gather” and other books, spells out the three factors that give life meaning.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
This is not exactly a cipher, but still I hope you can understand my meaning.
From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan
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Vocabulary lists containing mean
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Commonly Confused Words, List 2
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Psychology
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