Meanly: meaning, definitions and examples

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meanly

[ˈmiːnli ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

adverb

In an unkind or malicious manner.

Synonyms

cruelly, maliciously, unkindly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
meanly	Used when someone is being intentionally unpleasant or unkind, especially in a petty or selfish way. It can be used in everyday conversations to describe someone's behavior that is unnecessarily harsh or stingy. She spoke meanly to her colleague during the meeting. He meanly refused to share any of his snacks with the group.
unkindly	Used to describe behavior that is not friendly or kind. It is a milder term compared to 'cruelly' or 'maliciously' and is often used in everyday situations. He replied unkindly when she asked for help. The teacher spoke unkindly to the student who was struggling.
maliciously	Used when someone deliberately intends to harm, hurt, or damage someone or something. It often implies a deeper, more intentional malevolence. It is usually used in legal or serious contexts. The hacker maliciously deleted all the data from the server. She spread rumors about him maliciously, hoping to ruin his reputation.
cruelly	Used to describe actions or behaviors that cause severe pain or suffering. It is often used in serious or dramatic contexts to highlight the inhumane nature of someone's actions. The villain in the movie treated the prisoners cruelly. She cruelly mocked his stutter in front of everyone.

Examples of usage

He spoke meanly about his coworkers behind their backs.
She treated her employees meanly, without any compassion.
Don't act meanly towards others, treat them with respect and kindness.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'meanly' comes from the Middle English word 'menely,' meaning 'in a low manner' or 'nobly,' which is ironic since it now means unkind.
The root word 'mean' in this context is derived from the Old English 'mǣnan,' which meant 'to intend,' but evolved to imply stinginess or unkindness over time.

Psychology

Research indicates that individuals who act unkindly often do so as a defense mechanism to shield their own insecurities.
Mean behavior can be contagious; if one person is unkind, others in their environment may be encouraged to behave similarly.

Social Dynamics

Social scientists find that mean behavior often occurs in hierarchical groups, where individuals who feel threatened may act out toward others to assert dominance.
Bullying is a common form of mean behavior, often seen in schools, affecting both the bully and the victims psychologically.

Literature

In classic literature, characters who act meanly often face significant consequences, teaching moral lessons about kindness and empathy.
Many children's books, such as 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,' depict mean characters that eventually face their own downfall, emphasizing the value of kindness.

Pop Culture

The phrase 'Mean Girls,' popularized by a hit movie, showcases how unkind behavior among peers can lead to chaos and life lessons.
Popular songs often address themes of mean behavior, such as Taylor Swift's 'Mean,' which advocates for resilience against unkindness.

Translations

Translations of the word "meanly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mesquinhamente

🇮🇳 कृपणता से

🇩🇪 gemein

🇮🇩 dengan kejam

🇺🇦 підло

🇵🇱 podle

🇯🇵 卑劣に

🇫🇷 méchamment

🇪🇸 mezquinamente

🇹🇷 aşağılık bir şekilde

🇰🇷 비열하게

🇸🇦 بخسة

🇨🇿 podle

🇸🇰 podlo

🇨🇳 卑鄙地

🇸🇮 podlo

🇮🇸 illilega

🇰🇿 қатыгездікпен

🇬🇪 ბოროტად

🇦🇿 alçaqcasına

🇲🇽 mezquinamente

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,988, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
27985 unquenchable
27986 longingly
27987 glum
27988 meanly
27989 scribble
27990 misappropriated
27991 determiner
...