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Synonyms

by no means

Idioms  

  1. Also, not by any means. In no way, certainly not. For example, He is by no means a weak opponent, or Not by any means will I go along with that decision. [Late 1400s]

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.

And now its director, Kat Coiro, has repeated the feat with “You, Me & Tuscany,” a rom-com that, though by no means good, is also not the most abominable thing to play the multiplex lately.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

“This is by no means perfect and another iteration with many, many more to follow,” he said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Yet, while R9 was by no means finished, his injuries opened the door for others to stake their claim - so who is the greatest centre-forward of the 21st Century?

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

Those models are by no means perfect—and they’re constantly getting refined and recalibrated.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

Ambrose turned back to me, his smile bright, brittle, and by no means friendly.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.