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aim

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun aim contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of aim are design, end, goal, intention, intent, objective, object, and purpose. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

When is design a more appropriate choice than aim?

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

the order of events came by accident, not design

Where would end be a reasonable alternative to aim?

While the synonyms end and aim are close in meaning, 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 aim?

The words goal and aim can be used in similar contexts, but goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

In what contexts can intent take the place of aim?

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

the clear intent of the statute

When might intention be a better fit than aim?

In some situations, the words intention and aim are roughly equivalent. However, intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

announced his intention to marry

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

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

his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

When can objective be used instead of aim?

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

their objective is to seize the oil fields

When could purpose be used to replace aim?

While in some cases nearly identical to aim, 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 aim
Verb
To bring it to the next level, his team aims to collaborate with clinical physicians, comparing the diagnosis outputs from machine-learning models and human doctors to identify the differences and performance gaps. Eve Lu, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2025 The department maintains its actions are aimed at enforcing immigration laws and protecting officers’ safety. Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
The Sunday rant marks the latest instance of Trump taking aim at his media critics, and comes after weeks of the president slamming various late-night TV hosts. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025 But while polls show a majority of Israelis consistently back a ceasefire, at the Saturday protests, the main aim is the return of the remaining hostages. Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aim
Verb
  • Bronstein, her every utterance brimming with deadpan passive-aggression, was shrewd to cast herself as one of Linda’s many antagonists.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The pair met after being cast in a production of Hamlet at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival when Preston was in her mid-to-late 20s and Emerson was nearing 40, Preston explained.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • These are not intended for prolonged play and may break.
    Chris McMullen, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Here’s a candle that’s an especially great gift, especially if it’s intended for someone who feels affectionately for Maison Balzac’s cartoonish glassware.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 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
Verb
  • The code directed the money to a digital wallet not owned by the man, but presumably owned by the scammer, the complaint states.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2025
  • In the leadup to the deadline to fund the government this week, the White House directed agencies to prepare for mass firings in the event that Congress couldn’t reach a deal, rather than furloughing those not deemed essential as in past shutdowns.
    Connor Greene, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Following the success, Google may be planning to integrate the image model into some of its other apps and services.
    Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The team plans to expand the research to evaluate inhaler emissions in specific patient groups, such as Medicaid recipients, and to compare clinical outcomes of low- and high-emission inhalers in the same therapeutic class.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
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
Verb
  • Why he was executed on day 328, point blank, at the hands of Hamas, hours before approaching Israel Defense Forces would have set him free.
    Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The Dodgers’ rotation appears set for this series.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The researchers hope their work will encourage closer collaboration with plant operators to pinpoint and mitigate emissions.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The Knicks are entering this season with high championship aspirations, while the Bucks hope to avoid the play-in tournament and being part of the lowly Eastern Conference.
    Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Aim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aim. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

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