meanness

[meen-nis] / ˈmin nɪs /

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NOUN

the quality of being mean

Synonyms

STRONGEST

avarice greed malice

STRONG

abjection baseness beastliness closeness corruptness covetousness debasement degeneracy degradation disrepute frugality infamy iniquity lowness malignity miserliness parsimony pettiness rapacity shamelessness sordidness stinginess unkindness unscrupulousness unworthiness wickedness

WEAK

churlishness contemptibleness ill temper knavishness smallmindedness

Antonyms

STRONGEST

benevolence generosity

STRONG

goodness honor morality virtue

WEAK

nobility worthiness

NOUN

a mean action

Synonyms

STRONG

belittling cheating scolding

WEAK

coveting deceiving defaming defrauding degrading dishonoring groveling grudging quarreling shaming sneaking

Antonyms

WEAK

generosity nobility worthiness

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.

meanness

Perhaps best of all: The movie has a gritty, charming meanness to it; a stickiness that’s hard to shake off.

From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026

“Railroaded” evokes the meanness of New York in those years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 10, 2026

Rourke later apologised to Siwa, and told the housemates he "didn't say it out of meanness".

From BBC ● Apr. 9, 2025

But he does relish the meanness he wields in the classroom.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 8, 2024

It’s not far from the first gentle wave of genuine interest and curiosity to a crashing tide of teasing and meanness.

From "Ugly" by Robert Hoge