purpose 1 of 2

purpose

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun purpose contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of purpose are aim, design, end, goal, intention, intent, objective, and object. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," purpose suggests a more settled determination.

being successful was her purpose in life

Where would aim be a reasonable alternative to purpose?

The meanings of aim and purpose largely overlap; however, aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

When would design be a good substitute for purpose?

While the synonyms design and purpose are close in meaning, design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

When might end be a better fit than purpose?

While in some cases nearly identical to purpose, 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 purpose?

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

worked years to reach her goals

When is intent a more appropriate choice than purpose?

The words intent and purpose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

When is it sensible to use intention instead of purpose?

Although the words intention and purpose have much in common, intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

announced his intention to marry

How do object and end relate to one another, in the sense of purpose?

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 purpose?

The synonyms objective and purpose are sometimes interchangeable, but objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

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 purpose
Noun
Mark Cuban, our avatar for this purpose, already came out publicly as Team Ballmer. Chris Branch, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025 Shepard started because leading scorer and potential league Most Valuable Player Napheesa Collier got the night off for rest purposes. Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025 However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 10 Sep. 2025 Leading with a clear purpose makes all the difference. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for purpose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purpose
Noun
  • Create a list of 20-30 companies aligned with your career goals.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • China’s already reached its goal of getting 300 million people involved.
    Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • On taking the job last year, Enzo Maresca knew that his say in transfers at Stamford Bridge would be limited and that his main task was to concentrate on coaching the team.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The board placed the task of arts grants distribution into the hands of the Parks and Culture Committee and decided to transition its distribution formula to one that divided the total pot of arts funding allocated in the county budget equally among all qualified groups, Tarantino said.
    Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • When asked by a reporter for more details about how Trump planned to ban mail-in ballots, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the administration planned to work with Republicans on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures.
    Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Quinn had a couple of credentials for his radio show, which had planned to broadcast from Dublin but nixed it at the last minute because co-host LaVar Arrington, the former Penn State and NFL linebacker, didn’t have a passport.
    Pete Sampson, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The aim shifts from corporate adoption to personal leverage.
    Curt Steinhorst, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Talarico was already taking political aim at potential November opponents.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The European Commission said Google favored its own online display services, giving its ad exchange, AdX, a central role in the adtech supply chain.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Their role is to support clients and other stakeholders to identify and take action against match manipulation, particularly those related to match betting.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Despite lacking any legal education or experience, Routh dismissed his lawyers earlier this year and intends to defend himself at trial.
    Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • It is not intended as legal, financial, medical, or professional advice.
    William Jones, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Copeland is the fourth Republican candidate to signal an intention to run for the party's nomination in House District 5, which includes a portion of Boone County.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Sep. 2025
  • If there was the intention to strengthen in central defence with Jaka Bijol, should that have heralded the right moment to generate more room in the transfer budget with Struijk’s sale?
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Duncan Wanblad, chief executive of Anglo, will take the top job and Anglo Teck while Teck’s chief executive Jonathan Price, will be his deputy.
    Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • That’s when Billy Napier accepted the Florida job.
    Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purpose. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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