Etymology
Origin of meanness
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.
Perhaps best of all: The movie has a gritty, charming meanness to it; a stickiness that’s hard to shake off.
From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026
“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 he does relish the meanness he wields in the classroom.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 8, 2024
There was a meanness to his tone that caught Mother off guard.
From "City Spies" by James Ponti
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
