meanness

[ meen-nis ]

noun

1. the state or quality of being mean.
2. a mean act:

   to answer meannesses with forgiveness.

Word History and Origins

Origin of meanness¹

First recorded in 1550–60; mean ² + -ness

Example Sentences

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

From Salon

He added: “I never want people to think I have a hint of malice or meanness towards anyone, ever, that’s why I’m saying all this.”

From Los Angeles Times

For every set, though, walls were never moved for the camera’s sake, “so you’re true to the claustrophobia,” says Gropman, and in the case of the dingy New York SRO, “the meanness of that space.”

From Los Angeles Times

There was a meanness to his tone that caught Mother off guard.

From Literature

In “Seinfeld,” the four leads stand trial for their meanness and are sentenced to a year in jail together because they were caught mocking another person.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• avarice
• greed
• malice