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Definitions

meanness

[meen-nis] / ˈmin nɪs /
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.

But Mr. Cornyn has no gift for meanness.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

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

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2025

There are many reasons for the anger Nazanin exudes, but her meanness conceals more than it gives away.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2025

To the millions who greedily gobbled up scuttlebutt about her legendary meanness over the years, this is far from a news flash.

From Salon • Oct. 30, 2024

Gandy had been in so many fights he was scarred up like a back alley tomcat, which didn’t seem to help his meanness at all.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls