The meanest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "The meanest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is particularly unkind or cruel, often in a comparative context. Example: "Out of all the characters in the story, she was portrayed as the meanest of them all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The meanest and the best was Tiny Bill.

The New York Times

The meanest stuff is about myself...

Los Angeles Times

The meanest one has black fur.

Vice

The meanest mug in the preschool yard is back, folks.

Huffington Post

Damon was the meanest.

The New York Times

"We shot under the meanest of circumstances".

The New York Times

Next week: the meanest people in the world.

The New York Times

Most seasons the trophy goes to the meanest defence.

Independent

In "Heidi," the meanest goat is called "the Great Turk".

The New Yorker

"But it is the old ladies who are the meanest.

The New York Times

Wow, @Uber_NYC is getting the meanest of mean emails.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the meanest", consider the specific nuance you want to convey: is it cruelty, unkindness, or severity? Choose synonyms like "cruelest", "unkindest", or "severest" for greater precision.

Common error

While "the meanest" is widely understood, it can sound too informal or colloquial in academic or professional writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "the most ruthless" or "the most severe" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "The meanest" functions as a superlative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating the highest degree of "mean" in a comparative context. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability, as demonstrated in its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "The meanest" is a grammatically sound and frequently used superlative adjective phrase to denote the highest degree of unkindness or cruelty. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, primarily in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "the most ruthless" in academic or professional settings. Remember to choose synonyms based on the specific nuance you wish to convey for greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The most unkind

Focuses specifically on lack of kindness.

The most cruel

Emphasizes the element of cruelty.

The nastiest

Uses a more informal and colloquial term for unpleasantness.

The most vicious

Highlights aggressive or violent behavior.

The severest

Emphasizes the intensity of negative action or condition.

The most ruthless

Focuses on the lack of compassion or pity.

The harshest

Highlights the severity and lack of gentleness.

The most spiteful

Emphasizes the desire to cause harm or annoyance.

The most malicious

Highlights the intent to do evil.

The most heartless

Focuses on the lack of empathy or feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "The meanest" in a sentence?

You can use "the meanest" to describe the most unkind or cruel person, action, or situation. For example, "He was "the meanest bully" in school" or "That was "the meanest thing" she could have said".

What are some alternatives to "The meanest"?

Alternatives to "the meanest" include "the most unkind", "the most cruel", "the nastiest", or "the most vicious", depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "The meanest"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Meanest" is the superlative form of the adjective "mean", and "the meanest" correctly identifies the highest degree of meanness.

What is the difference between "The meanest" and "The most mean"?

"The meanest" is the standard and more concise way to express the superlative of "mean". While "the most mean" is grammatically understandable, it is less common and often considered less elegant than using the superlative form.