Mean
Mean adjective - Giving or sharing as little as possible.
Usage example: a mean child who hoarded all her toys
Selfless
Selfless adjective - Showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others.
Nearby Words: self, selflessness
Both words in one sentence
- The titular protagonist of Steven Universe is so upbeat and selfless he assumes that anything "mean" is a simple misunderstanding.
Source: Good Cannot Comprehend Evil - Just because he's The Mole and a mass murderer doesn't mean his kind and selfless personality is fake.
Source: Affably Evil / Anime and Manga -
Jacob is a sweet, caring young boy who is so kind and selfless that his being selfish or mean for a change has been a punchline unto itself and there was even an arc about it.
Source: Children Are Innocent
Cite this Source
Selfless and Mean. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 13, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/mean/selfless
Mean & Selfless. N.p., 2016. Web. 13 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/mean/selfless>.
Selfless or Mean. 2016. Accessed August 13, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/mean/selfless.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "mean" and "selfless" have occurred on timeline