meanest person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meanest person" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is unkind, cruel, or malicious in their behavior or actions. Example: "Despite his charming exterior, he turned out to be the meanest person I had ever met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"She was the meanest person I'd ever met, hugely talented, I'm told, and she died.

The New York Times - Books

You meet a person with a big smile and they are the meanest person in the world," he says.

The Washington Post

"My mother-in-law was these two things: the meanest person I have ever known, and the one who has hated me the most".

The New York Times - Books

"My mother-in-law was these two things: the meanest person I have ever known, and the one who has hated me the most". As for his wife, he describes their moment at the altar with nothing if not visual imagination.

The New York Times - Books

"I was the meanest person that I knew," Tina said.

Huffington Post

You were the meanest f-----g kid in school, you were the meanest person I ever met in my life!

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

And that will take you from a nice person, to a mean person's personal assistant!

WikiHow

I'm not a mean person.

The Guardian - Tech

The word yolngu literally means "person" in the local language.

The Guardian

How does such a mean person get such power?

The New Yorker

But Ray started being a real mean person, so I ended up asking Nate.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as the "meanest person", provide specific examples of their behavior to support your claim and make it more impactful.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the meanness of a person simply for dramatic effect. Accurate portrayal builds credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meanest person" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "meanest" acts as a superlative adjective modifying the noun "person". Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in identifying an individual characterized by extreme unkindness or cruelty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

40%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meanest person" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe someone exhibiting extreme unkindness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it appears across various contexts, especially in news and media and on wikis. When using the phrase, consider providing specific examples to support your characterization and be mindful of overusing hyperbole. Alternatives such as "cruelest individual" or "nastiest person" may be more appropriate in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cruelest individual

Focuses on the cruelty aspect of the person.

nastiest person

Emphasizes the unpleasantness and disagreeableness of the person.

most unkind person

Replaces "meanest" with a more formal expression of lack of kindness.

most malicious person

Highlights the intent to harm or cause suffering.

most spiteful person

Focuses on the vindictive and resentful nature of the person.

most vicious person

Implies a particularly brutal or aggressive form of meanness.

most unpleasant person

A more general term for someone who is disagreeable.

most horrible person

Emphasizes the shocking or terrible nature of the person.

most awful person

Another general term for someone who is very bad or unpleasant.

most detestable person

Focuses on the strong dislike or hatred that the person inspires.

FAQs

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

You can use "meanest person" to describe someone who exhibits extreme unkindness. For example, "He was the "meanest person" I had ever encountered."

What are some alternatives to "meanest person"?

Alternatives include "cruelest individual", "nastiest person", or "most unkind person" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "meanest person" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "meanest person" might be considered informal for highly academic or professional contexts. More formal alternatives like "most unkind individual" or "most malicious person" might be preferred in those situations.

What is the difference between "meanest person" and "most disliked person"?

"Meanest person" refers specifically to someone who is unkind or cruel, while "most disliked person" refers to someone who is unpopular, regardless of their inherent character traits.