1
as in purposes
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish
I'm sorry that I hurt your feelings; that wasn't my intent
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in senses
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action
the wording was a little unclear, but I think I grasped the intent
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Recent Examples of intents
That’s a pretty wide, public airing of grievances against a locker room that is, for all intents and purposes, winning.
—
Joe Vardon, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
For all intents and purposes, the playoffs have begun.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Grace’s victory has prompted a new contest for the high seat of the council, which comes with a nifty sigil ring and the ability to, for all intents and purposes, rule the world.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
The Iranian navy, never impressive, is for all intents and purposes defunct.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Doors that at a glance appeared to be open were for all intents and purposes closed to them.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2026
Sánchez Bezos, who, for all intents and purposes, is perhaps somewhat of a neo-Melania—the woman who married the ultimate billionaire du jour—has also graced a Vogue cover in her wedding dress.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 4 Mar. 2026
But for all intents and purposes, there’s no room to be defensive about simply getting better on defense.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2026
For all intents and purposes, the company was spinning its wheels.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
Joe Vardon, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
For all intents and purposes, the playoffs have begun.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Grace’s victory has prompted a new contest for the high seat of the council, which comes with a nifty sigil ring and the ability to, for all intents and purposes, rule the world.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
The Iranian navy, never impressive, is for all intents and purposes defunct.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Doors that at a glance appeared to be open were for all intents and purposes closed to them.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2026
Sánchez Bezos, who, for all intents and purposes, is perhaps somewhat of a neo-Melania—the woman who married the ultimate billionaire du jour—has also graced a Vogue cover in her wedding dress.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 4 Mar. 2026
But for all intents and purposes, there’s no room to be defensive about simply getting better on defense.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2026
For all intents and purposes, the company was spinning its wheels.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intents
Noun
-
The robotic characters break free from their restaurant resting place to cause chaos in town, while the villainous Marionette pops up to possess victims for her own nefarious purposes.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Trump has not only stolen top-secret government files, apparently for business purposes but used his office to harass and investigate his political targets.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But step through its shiplap door, and your senses shift again.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Engaging the senses centers mindfulness even in the most hectic work environments, lowering stress and opening up the headspace for thinking.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Capricorn December 22 – January 19 By afternoon, your focus sharpens on goals.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
-
December 22 – January 19 By afternoon, your focus sharpens on goals.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Soderbergh extracts some fun from the ensuing cat-and-mouse logistics, from Lori’s meticulous duplication of the Christophers to Julian’s efforts to bluff her into admitting her true intentions.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
As the Waltons have become more and more involved in the city’s development, some have started to express harsh skepticism about their intentions.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At the same time, the mission will test flight controllers and procedures needed to safely send astronauts back to the moon for long-duration stays as NASA makes plans for a future moon base.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
How does the new Coral Gables board game fit into the chamber’s plans?—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As of late March, these two meanings have converged.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
-
But in the excitement over human exploration of the moon, the meanings behind the missions' namesakes and the mythological figures that inspired them can get lost.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
October 23 – November 21 Group efforts benefit from clear, shared aims.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that his military's aims in Iran are beyond halfway complete, but that Israel is widening its invasion of Lebanon.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The contents of the message are unclear.—
James Legge,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Even so, my ideal pantry starter kit will look different from yours, or your neighbor’s, or your best friend’s, its contents dependent on your flavor and cuisine preferences and lifestyle choices.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intents. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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