purpose

intention, intent, purpose, design, aim, end, object, objective, goal 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

intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

• • the clear intent of the statute

purpose suggests a more settled determination.

• • being successful was her purpose in life

design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

• • the order of events came by accident, not design

aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

• • her aim was to raise film to an art form

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

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

• • his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

• • their objective is to seize the oil fields

goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

• • worked years to reach her goals