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.

“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 watch those eyes widen when suddenly there’s a test of guts and his meanness flares again.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2025

Another said the demon’s “ludicrous meanness destroys the terror which is the soul of the scene.”

From New York Times • Nov. 10, 2023

Then, with all the meanness still in me, I laughed, and Aileen laughed too.

From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely