INTENTION Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'intention' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of intention are aim , design , end , goal , intent , objective , object , and purpose . While all these words 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

Q: When is 'aim' a more appropriate choice than 'intention'?

The synonyms aim and intention are sometimes interchangeable, but aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing. // her aim was to raise film to an art form

Q: When can 'design' be used instead of 'intention'?

The words design and intention are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, design implies a more carefully calculated plan. // the order of events came by accident, not design

Q: Where would 'end' be a reasonable alternative to 'intention'?

Although the words end and intention have much in common, 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

Q: When would 'goal' be a good substitute for 'intention'?

In some situations, the words goal and intention are roughly equivalent. However, goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship. // worked years to reach her goals

Q: When is it sensible to use 'intent' instead of 'intention'?

While in some cases nearly identical to intention , intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness. // the clear intent of the statute

Q: How are the words 'object' and 'end' related as synonyms of 'intention'?

Object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need. // his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

Q: In what contexts can 'objective' take the place of 'intention'?

The words objective and intention can be used in similar contexts, but objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable. // their objective is to seize the oil fields

Q: When might 'purpose' be a better fit than 'intention'?

While the synonyms purpose and intention are close in meaning, purpose suggests a more settled determination. // being successful was her purpose in life

intention

noun

in-ˈten(t)-shən

Definition of intention

as in purpose

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish her intention is to climb the highest peak in each of the 50 states

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in intent

the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action she was uncertain of the intention of his frantic gesturing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun intention contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of intention are aim, design, end, goal, intent, objective, object, and purpose. While all these words 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

When is aim a more appropriate choice than intention?

The synonyms aim and intention are sometimes interchangeable, but aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

When can design be used instead of intention?

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

the order of events came by accident, not design

Where would end be a reasonable alternative to intention?

Although the words end and intention have much in common, 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 intention?

In some situations, the words goal and intention are roughly equivalent. However, goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

When is it sensible to use intent instead of intention?

While in some cases nearly identical to intention, intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

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

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

his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

In what contexts can objective take the place of intention?

The words objective and intention can be used in similar contexts, but objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

When might purpose be a better fit than intention?

While the synonyms purpose and intention are close in meaning, 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 intention Such an approach runs the risk of gawking at an unfamiliar people, their hegemonies and their ways of life, even with the best intentions. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 Investigators determined that Hollander had likely targeted the home with the intention of killing Esther. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026 The prosecution argued Clancy was well enough to plan and act with intention. — Carmel Wroth, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026 The intention was not to pull the rug out from underneath the audience, but to capture the sudden emotion people like Fetters really experienced. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intention

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intention

Noun

By the end of Saturday night, the sanctuary had served two purposes at once.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
Chevy provided The Drive with travel, accommodations, and access to the vehicle for the purpose of writing this review.

— Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of purpose

Noun

Additionally, the school published the statements with intent to harm Skains, according to the verdict.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026
Attorneys for Shanetta Bossell filed a notice of intent to rely on lack of mental capacity defense, according to court records filed Friday.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of intent

Noun

But that doesn’t mean eating before working out is always better overall, as meal timing can affect each body differently depending on one's goals.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
One of the first focuses under the new corporate structure will be addressing cancer drug affordability, Shah said, with a goal of accelerating the adoption of lower-cost biosimilars, which are clinically equivalent drugs akin to generic drugs.

— Ian Thomas, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of goal

Noun

Bieber and Gausman are the two names on this list that make the most sense to bring back.

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Karrahboooo’s flow, kind of like Veeze or Lucki, manages to feel both laid back and conversational and deeply and intricately rhythmic, an almost enchanting combination made more potent by Karrahbooo’s almost dance-leaning sense of melody.

— Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of sense

Noun

Depending on your situation, a debt management plan, debt consolidation or simply negotiating directly with creditors may be a better option.

— Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 7 Sep. 2026
Their plan to find a long-term answer at QB appears centered on the 2027 draft, which is expected to feature a more talented class with the likes of Arch Manning, Dante Moore, Julian Sayin and CJ Carr.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of plan

Noun

Research-Grade Interviewing Beyond collecting responses, ascertain whether the system uses research-grade interviewing to probe for deeper meaning.

— Stu Sjouwerman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Producers who picked up trophies for that honor include Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Alex Timbers, and Sabrina Carpenter, meaning, yes, EGOT Watch is officially on for Sabrina.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of meaning

Noun

Both drivers were told to stop yo-yoing positions and to instead work together to pull clear of the Red Bull, with the aim of clinching the team’s 1-2 result before settling their own fight at the end.

— Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
What was your way in there and why was that subject specifically something that felt so pertinent to your larger aims?

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of aim

Noun

Elektra was previously the editor-in-chief at Selfridges, looking after content and editorial, and has held senior roles at i-D and Vice.

— Elektra Kotsoni, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Most people assume that the only way to really appreciate a show is to immerse yourself in the hours and hours and hours of content and scour the comments of every Love Island cast member’s socials to figure out who’s following whom.

— Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of content

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intent

intention

intentional

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“Intention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intention. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of intention

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