object 1 of 2

object

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun object contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of object are aim, design, end, goal, intention, intent, objective, and purpose. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.

his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

Where would aim be a reasonable alternative to object?

While in some cases nearly identical to object, aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

When is it sensible to use design instead of object?

Although the words design and object have much in common, design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

When might end be a better fit than object?

The synonyms end and object are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 can goal be used instead of object?

The meanings of goal and object largely overlap; however, goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

When could intent be used to replace object?

While the synonyms intent and object are close in meaning, intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

In what contexts can intention take the place of object?

The words intention and object can be used in similar contexts, but intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

announced his intention to marry

When is objective a more appropriate choice than object?

In some situations, the words objective and object are roughly equivalent. However, objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

When would purpose be a good substitute for object?

The words purpose and object are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 object
Noun
Do not approach water, wet objects, or metal items. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 27 Sep. 2025 However, that's where mini-moons come in; these objects represent a far more achievable target for asteroid mining. Tom Brown, Space.com, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
The music artists Semisonic and Jess Glynne previously objected to their music being used in deportation videos. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025 This isn’t to say that Mendín objects to the slew of national and international restaurants that have descended on the Miami area over the past several years. Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for object
Recent Examples of Synonyms for object
Noun
  • Trump this week announced new probes into personal protective equipment, medical items, robotics and industrial machinery.
    Reuters, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Agents returned to the scene the next day to recover the bike and other personal belongings, ultimately delivering the items to the cyclist’s wife, authorities said.
    ABC News, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Desai makes reference to the Federal Trade Commission’s recent lawsuit aimed at Live Nation and Ticketmaster that claims the entities misled consumers about resale ticket prices.
    Thania Garcia, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Last year, Cavanagh also led the process of spinning off most of NBCU’s cable network portfolio into a new stand-alone entity, Versant.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Personality and purpose Upon entering the home, the first room one notices is Catherine's spacious office, which sits just to the left of the front door.
    Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • While the Sixers theoretically have four centers, one is the brittle Joel Embiid, two are youngsters who haven’t clearly established themselves yet (Adem Bona and Johni Broome) and the other is a near-the-end Andre Drummond, who might also be traded for tax purposes.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The game was punctuated by Kotsay’s late ejection, with the manager making the long walk to the clubhouse in the top of the ninth inning after protesting an umpire call.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2025
  • While explaining his reasoning behind the proposal to the committee, Piagentini offered a few examples of organizations that applied for permits to protest in public spaces but were denied.
    Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • As for traffic flow and cost-effectiveness, a couple of things are worth considering.
    Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Shannon tries to ram the trainers with elbows because, yeah, Shannon does those kinds of things.
    Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Blending style with substance can be a difficult balance to strike, and Kendra Scott does it with Texas flair.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The mayor has also been vocal about the need for more mental health and substance use treatment beds — an area that typically falls under the county’s responsibility as a provider of health services.
    Grace Hase, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • When asked about whether as many as 300,000 workers could lose their jobs, Vought emphasized the administration’s broader goal of shrinking Washington’s reach.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • With a clearer picture of cash flow, an advisor can make investing recommendations based on your goals, risk tolerance and timeline.
    Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In April, 44-year-old Marie Ange Blaise, a Haitian, died while being held at GEO’s Pompano Beach facility after complaining of chest pains.
    Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
  • And faculty worry that teaching certain subject matter and texts might offend students and, if students complain, lead to administrative sanctions.
    Louis Menand, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Object.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/object. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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