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 Pride have allowed a goal in each of their past six games, and the defensive unit has taken a step backward from last season. Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2025 Above all, your professional style should align with your goals, London says — both inside and outside the workplace. Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 6 June 2025 The goal is to condense a process that can take up to two years down to a handful of months. Stephen Clark – Jun 6, ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025 The goal being to have 30 teams all in a position, if well-managed, to be competing for championships. Sam Amick, New York Times, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for goal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goal
Noun
  • This was still wild country, and Fuller set off with the express purpose of producing a book about her journey.
    James Marcus, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
  • These rituals included a physical action, an emotional expression and a shared sense of purpose.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • During this period, Hamas emerged as a powerful splinter of the Muslim Brotherhood movement with the aim of destroying Israel and establishing an Islamist Palestinian state.
    Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
  • Many believe the aim of his blatant attack on democracy is to escape his bribery, fraud, and breach of trust court case.
    Ehud Barak, Time, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • To fulfill President Donald Trump's plan to build America into a manufacturing powerhouse, permitting reform needs to go hand-in-hand with the administration's industrial strategy, which also includes tariffs on steel, tax cuts, and deregulation.
    Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
  • Boone added that Stroman is close to a rehab assignment, but the skipper didn’t have exact plans in place.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Additionally, setting standardized service level objectives (SLOs) and KPIs across cloud and on-prem environments creates consistent performance baselines, helping teams deliver reliable user experiences.
    Ben Blanquera, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • The project started back in 2020 with the objective of appealing beyond video game or animation fans, targeting mainstream audiences and techno-thriller enthusiasts.
    Kevin Giraud, Variety, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • The production may have noble intentions in depicting domestic abuse in unflinching terms, but Wax seems to have nothing to say about it other than that what is brutal is indeed brutal.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 June 2025
  • As a music vet who has been in the industry for over 30 years, this is the start of a new chapter, one that is full of intention and learning, even in his wiser years.
    Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • But there was never any doubt in their intent: put a creative, Midwest spin on country music.
    Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 10 June 2025
  • This distinction in intent produces markedly different outcomes.
    Jonathan H. Westover, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Noun
  • Entertainment companies have been exploring how to use AI in their processes, which supporters say can help reduce costs and allow creatives to test bold ideas without as many financial constraints.
    Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
  • Sarah, 28, started searching online for low-key reveal ideas.
    Jordan Greene, People.com, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • Avoid tall, isolated trees or other elevated objects.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2025
  • Keep a distance from tall, isolated trees or other elevated objects.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Goal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goal. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on goal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!