Synonym Chooser

How does the noun intention contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of intention are aim, design, end, goal, intent, objective, object, and purpose. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

announced his intention to marry

When is aim a more appropriate choice than intention?

The synonyms aim and intention are sometimes interchangeable, but aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

When can design be used instead of intention?

The words design and intention are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

Where would end be a reasonable alternative to intention?

Although the words end and intention have much in common, end stresses the intended effect of action often in distinction or contrast to the action or means as such.

willing to use any means to achieve his end

When would goal be a good substitute for intention?

In some situations, the words goal and intention are roughly equivalent. However, goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

When is it sensible to use intent instead of intention?

While in some cases nearly identical to intention, intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

How are the words object and end related as synonyms of intention?

Object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.

his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

In what contexts can objective take the place of intention?

The words objective and intention can be used in similar contexts, but objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

When might purpose be a better fit than intention?

While the synonyms purpose and intention are close in meaning, purpose suggests a more settled determination.

being successful was her purpose in life

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of intention Use the new moon in your sign on June 25 to set intentions around community, joy, and authentic friendship. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025 The new moon encourages you to set intentions around pleasure, but by the time Mercury enters Sagittarius, relationships take center stage, and conversations with partners (or potential ones) expand into big-picture dreams. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025 Her maker said the intention isn’t to replace people, but Hollywood isn’t buying it. Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025 But the nickel corner came flying into the backfield with bad intentions. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for intention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intention
Noun
  • The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies described.
    David McMillin, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Each piece was weathered and color-coded to signal hierarchy and purpose, grounding the film’s grand concept of a migrating Earth into reality.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Federal officials repeatedly sought to calm public anxieties, affirming no evidence of foreign involvement or ill intent behind the sightings.
    Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Gittens came on against Liverpool with 15 minutes to go and showed better attacking intent, and brought a good save out of Giorgi Mamardashvili.
    Simon Johnson, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Last season, in Game 5 of the Panthers’ second-round series against Toronto, Boqvist finished with a goal and an assist with Rodrigues injured and played alongside Barkov and Sam Reinhart on Florida’s top line after moving up from his usual spot on the fourth line.
    Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2025
  • After a recent Rangers’ preseason game, Sullivan was shown a video clip of the goal.
    Peter Baugh, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Growing up, and well into my early adulthood, my grandma was my best friend—a person who fostered a sense of confidence in me, loved me unconditionally, and gave me the best taste in everything nostalgic from her younger years.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The final finished 14-14, but my abiding memory is the intoxicating swirl of noise and colour created by almost 93,000 fans, plus the sense of anticipation that accompanied the pre-match walk up Olympic Way.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Defending Education’s Nicole Neily, who was also at McMahon’s confirmation, stood next to McMahon when the secretary announced an investigation into the Maine Department of Education for keeping records from parents about student gender identity plans.
    Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Containment is part of a larger plan for managing a wildfire.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • After releasing her latest album, Swift reflected on her admiration for Taylor and explained the meaning behind the song named after her.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Along those lines, some Division I athletes might gain recognition as employees within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act and/or the Fair Labor Standards Act.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Those designing the new main building decided to cut that association, the aim being to make the first-team facilities an area players must aspire to enter.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The aim is to gather intelligence through photos, video and logging suspicious vessels in the East China Sea to be shared with the United Nations' Enforcement Coordination Cell.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Intention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intention. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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