Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for meanness. Search instead for meannes.
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

“I think the way you ask the question, with the anger and the meanness, is terrible. You go back and learn how to be a reporter. No more questions from you.”

From Salon • Nov. 18, 2025

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

And the meanness and the plannings and the discontent and the ache for attention were all gone from her face.

From "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck