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intent

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adjective

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun intent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of intent are aim, design, end, goal, intention, objective, object, and purpose. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

When can aim be used instead of intent?

In some situations, the words aim and intent are roughly equivalent. However, aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

In what contexts can design take the place of intent?

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

the order of events came by accident, not design

When could end be used to replace intent?

The words end and intent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 is it sensible to use goal instead of intent?

While in some cases nearly identical to intent, goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

When would intention be a good substitute for intent?

Although the words intention and intent 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 intent?

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

his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

Where would objective be a reasonable alternative to intent?

The meanings of objective and intent largely overlap; however, objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

When might purpose be a better fit than intent?

The words purpose and intent can be used in similar contexts, but 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 intent
Noun
His mother, 47-year-old December Marie Mitchell, and stepfather, 50-year-old Jonathan James Mitchell, are charged with tampering/fabrication of physical evidence with intent to conceal a human corpse. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2025 Sawyer’s spotlight, which sixty million people tuned in to see, gave Michael a national forum to clearly define his intent and lead the discussion with a measured response. Dan Beck, Variety, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
After last season’s stunning trade from Dallas, the Mavericks seemed intent on telling anyone who asked that his body wasn’t right. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2025 In the musical film, HUNTR/X faces their biggest threat yet in the form of the Saja Boys, a rival boy band comprised of demons intent on stealing the ladies' fanbase and feasting on their souls. Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for intent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intent
Noun
  • Swets, who has expertise with special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), formed Greenland Exploration with his investment and merchant banking firm, FG Nexus, and agreed to merge with March GL and find a suitable SPAC to take the company public.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Sea lines of communication, or SLOCs, are the principal maritime routes between ports used for trade, military or other purposes.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Baleba, after a troubled start to his season following United’s interest during the transfer window, had a good game against Newcastle last time out, and his performance in front of his suitors could impact their intentions next summer.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The survey revealed a troubling gap between intention and action.
    Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Any credible evidence of sabotage or arson will be met with a swift and resolute response.
    Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Such welcome candidness to questions of spirituality is enough to move even a resolute non-believer like me.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The company’s cuts are the latest in a long line of efforts to make Amazon more efficient and focused, said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, in a note to investors Monday.
    Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Yoon believes that by being so focused on product and not compromising on innovation has resulted in high customer loyalty, which in turn has helped fuel sustained growth.
    Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Whether your goal is to work in government, the private sector, or a nonprofit organization, our curriculum prepares you for diverse roles such as intelligence analyst, foreign service officer, military analyst, or special agent.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
  • But recent reports show that goal is nowhere near.
    Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Now armed with a new perspective on her own life and her father’s, the past takes on new meaning.
    Nora Dahlia, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • To understand the soul may have required silk, cheesecloth, cotton wool, even offal—but these mundane materials, Warner shows us, held meaning.
    David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Continuing with immunotherapy, Shahi remains determined to maintain her health since managing the numerous side effects from her treatments and medications comes with its challenges.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • And soon, a determined and motley crew sets out to test Vahid’s hunch.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Dallas Cowboys and team owner Jerry Jones have been very interested in the idea of getting aggressive ahead of the upcoming NFL trade deadline.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Although the quality of the wines made in Oregon speaks for itself, one of the trends that really got people interested in its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in recent years was the influx of folks with roots in Burgundy setting up shop there.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Intent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intent. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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