goal

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun goal contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of goal are aim, design, end, intention, intent, objective, object, and purpose. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

When could aim be used to replace goal?

The meanings of aim and goal 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 is it sensible to use design instead of goal?

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

the order of events came by accident, not design

When can end be used instead of goal?

While the synonyms end and goal 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

In what contexts can intent take the place of goal?

The words intent and goal can be used in similar contexts, but intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

When might intention be a better fit than goal?

While in some cases nearly identical to goal, 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 goal?

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 is objective a more appropriate choice than goal?

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

their objective is to seize the oil fields

When would purpose be a good substitute for goal?

Although the words purpose and goal have much in common, 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 goal The goal isn’t to let AI assign grades or replace managers. David Ferrucci, Fortune, 30 June 2025 Similar to a puzzle, the goal is for kids to arrange the strings in a way that fits within the board’s pattern. Laura Lu, Parents, 30 June 2025 Salsbury insists the goal is never to take over but to free them up. Rhiannon Frater, USA Today, 30 June 2025 Our goals are to return to holding youth accountable for their actions while simultaneously providing them with the necessary resources and programming to get them back on track for success. Ivan J. Bates, Baltimore Sun, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for goal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goal
Noun
  • The purpose of the grants is to address the climate crisis and various environmental harms at the local level.
    Tracy J. Wholf June 26, CBS News, 26 June 2025
  • Users can examine the prompts and the chats that made those examples possible and even modify them for their own purposes.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • The aim is to remove tariffs and other trade barriers to ease the movement of goods in a continent of around 1.5 billion inhabitants.
    Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
  • For them, the aim is not to hinder the use of AI, but to provide a voice for their members who want a seat at the table and an opportunity to work hand-in-hand with employers to ensure that AI use supports rather than harms employees.
    Oludolapo Makinde, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Worries about environmental effects have also been at the forefront, as groups such as the Center for Biological Diversity and the Friends of the Everglades filed a lawsuit Friday to halt the detention center plans.
    Makiya Seminera, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
  • Muon Space plans for the constellation to be able to scan every point on Earth every 20 minutes, with more wildfire prone areas being scanned more frequently.
    Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Another objective is to provide the city’s residents with cheap and healthy food.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • Scientific objectives include gaining an understanding of the Reiner Gamma swirl mini-magnetosphere region and its magnetic and plasma properties. TBD, 2025: Blue Origin New Glenn carrying Blue Moon Mark 1 (MK1), a single-launch, lunar cargo lander that remains on the surface.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Hotchkiss School in Connecticut was born out of Maria Harrison Bissell Hotchkiss’ discussions with Yale President Timothy Dwight V with the explicit intention of preparing young men to attend Yale.
    Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • However, despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of physicians have the best of intentions, these new rules will have a chilling effect on both veterans seeking health care and providers caring for them.
    Flavia Mangan Colgan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Tailor content to match their stage, intent and platform behavior to actually drive results.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • This phrase has a clear intent and a violent legacy, and its impact is not theoretical.
    Lisa Katz, New York Daily News, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • Either way, there is much buzz about his big-picture ideas.
    Kairi Lowery, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2025
  • This chicken dinner idea checks several of the essential boxes for cowboy cooking: a cast iron skillet, plenty of Southwestern flavor, and a cheesy topping.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • For autonomous vehicle applications, this includes labeling 3D point clouds from lidar sensors and marking objects across video frames.
    Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Police officials said force was used only after a group of agitators began pelting officers with bottles, fireworks and other objects.
    Karim Doumar, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Goal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goal. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on goal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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