Found 20 stronger alternatives to upgrade your writing.
Be important to someone
Nuance: Importance
Use when mean means be important.
Boring
You mean a lot to your friends.
Better
You matter to your friends.
Idiom: lead to a result
Nuance: Result
Idiom used for results.
Boring
That means trouble for the team.
Better
That spells trouble for the team.
Intend by your words
Nuance: Sincere
Good for what you intended to say.
Boring
I said it and I meant it.
Better
I said it and I meant it.
Represent letters or symbols
Nuance: Symbol meaning
Used for abbreviations.
Boring
What does USA mean?
Better
USA stands for United States of America.
Show meaning (formal)
Nuance: Indicates meaning
Formal; shows what something means.
Boring
Her smile means happiness.
Better
Her smile signifies happiness.
Plan to do something
Nuance: Purpose
Use for plans and purpose.
Boring
I mean to finish my homework early.
Better
I intend to finish my homework early.
Suggest without saying directly
Nuance: Hidden meaning
Imply is stronger and more indirect.
Boring
His tone meant that he was upset.
Better
His tone implied that he was upset.
Show (sign or signal)
Nuance: Signal
Often used for signs and data.
Boring
The arrow means “exit.”
Better
The arrow indicates the exit.
Stand for something
Nuance: Represents
Used for symbols and ideas.
Boring
The dove means peace.
Better
The dove represents peace.
Hint at an idea
Nuance: Hint
Used when evidence points to something.
Boring
The dark clouds mean rain.
Better
The dark clouds suggest rain.
Communicate a message (formal)
Nuance: Message delivered
Formal and clear.
Boring
Her poem means hope.
Better
Her poem conveys hope.
Require as part of it
Nuance: Required part
Use when something is a necessary part.
Boring
Joining the team means practice every day.
Better
Joining the team involves practice every day.
Be a symbol of
Nuance: Symbolic
Used for deeper symbolism.
Boring
The rainbow means hope.
Better
The rainbow symbolizes hope.
Idiom: get to your point
Nuance: Point
Idiom when you are asking their point.
Boring
What do you mean by that question?
Better
What are you driving at with that question?
Mean specifically (formal)
Nuance: Specific meaning
Formal and precise.
Boring
In math the symbol means a number.
Better
In math the symbol denotes a number.
Require as a result (formal)
Nuance: Requirement
Formal; common in essays.
Boring
Being captain means responsibility.
Better
Being captain entails responsibility.
Signal something coming (literary)
Nuance: Omen
Literary and dramatic.
Boring
Dark clouds mean a storm.
Better
Dark clouds portend a storm.
Warn of something future (formal)
Nuance: Warning
Formal; like predict.
Boring
Those signs mean trouble ahead.
Better
Those signs presage trouble ahead.
Old: suggest the future
Nuance: Good sign
Old fashioned; often augurs well.
Boring
The quick start means good things for the team.
Better
The quick start augurs well for the team.
Suggest something rude (negative)
Nuance: Nasty hint
Often unfair or mean-spirited.
Boring
He meant that she cheated.
Better
He insinuated that she cheated.