1. in a cruel, unkind, or spiteful manner
2. in a stingy or ungenerous way
3. in a poor, shabby, or humble manner

Examples

• She spoke meanly to her younger brother.
• The wealthy man lived meanly, refusing to spend money on basic comforts.
• He was meanly dressed in old, worn clothes.
• The children laughed meanly at the new student’s accent.
• They were housed meanly in a cramped basement apartment.
• She meanly refused to share her lunch with anyone.
• The critic meanly attacked the young artist’s work.