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Dictionary.com
Definitions

by no means

ADVERB
hardly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
barely comparatively practically rarely seldom simply somewhat
STRONG
just
WEAK
almost inconceivably almost not by a hair detectably faintly gradually imperceptibly infrequently little no more than no way not a bit not at all not by much not likely not markedly not measurably not much not notably not noticeably not often not quite once in a blue moon only only just perceptibly pretty near scantly slightly sparsely sporadically with trouble
Antonyms
STRONGEST
frequently
WEAK
very
ADVERB
nope
Synonyms
WEAK
absolutely not nay negative never nix no way not at all not by any means nothing doing
INTERJECTION
no
Synonyms
STRONGEST
negative
STRONG
nix
WEAK
absolutely not never no way not at all not by any means

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.

It’s by no means sufficient to really fill the gap, but states could jump in here.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

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

The band was by no means big, but they had a following in the Northwest and in various college towns between here and Chicago.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman