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intention

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of intention

1 something that one hopes or intends to accomplish

  • her intention is to climb the highest peak in each of the 50 states
Synonyms of intention

aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne (also bourn), design, dream, end, goal, idea, ideal, intent, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, point, pretension, purpose, target, thing
Words Related to intention

grail, holy grail

plot, project, scheme

desire, hope, mind, wish

nirvana

destination, terminus
Phrases Synonymous with intention

name of the game
Near Antonyms of intention

means, method, way

2 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 of intention

content, denotation, drift, import, intent, meaning, purport, sense, significance, signification
Words Related to intention

connotation

clue, cue, hint, implication, indication, inkling, intimation, suggestion

message, tenor, theme

bottom, essence, essentiality, nature, soul, spirit, stuff

acceptance, acceptation, definition

burden, crux, gist

core, heart, kernel, marrow, nub, nucleus, pith, point, quick

matter, motif, motive, question, subject, topic

Synonym Discussion of intention

intention, intent, purpose, design, aim, end, object, objective, goal 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
intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.
    • the clear intent of the statute
purpose suggests a more settled determination.
    • being successful was her purpose in life
design implies a more carefully calculated plan.
    • the order of events came by accident, not design
aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.
    • her aim was to raise film to an art form
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
object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.
    • his constant object was the achievement of pleasure
objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.
    • their objective is to seize the oil fields
goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.
    • worked years to reach her goals

Learn More about intention

  1. See words that rhyme with intention Dictionary: Definition of intention Medical Dictionary: Definition of intention Spanish Central: Translation of intention Nglish: Translation of intention for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of intention for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about intention

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