object 1 of 2

object

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun object contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of object are aim, design, end, goal, intention, intent, objective, and purpose. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," 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 aim be a reasonable alternative to object?

While in some cases nearly identical to object, 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 object?

Although the words design and object have much in common, design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

When might end be a better fit than object?

The synonyms end and object are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 can goal be used instead of object?

The meanings of goal and object largely overlap; however, goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

When could intent be used to replace object?

While the synonyms intent and object are close in meaning, intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

In what contexts can intention take the place of object?

The words intention and object can be used in similar contexts, but intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

announced his intention to marry

When is objective a more appropriate choice than object?

In some situations, the words objective and object are roughly equivalent. However, objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

When would purpose be a good substitute for object?

The words purpose and object are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 object
Noun
Gusty winds will blow around loose and unsecured objects, including holiday decor and festival tents. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025 Do not approach water, wet objects, or metal items. Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
This was a decision made by the club, but the players and their agencies did not object. Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 Even if Schumer buys in and supports a minibus, a single senator can object to bundling bills together and derail that progress. Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for object
Recent Examples of Synonyms for object
Noun
  • Grijalva trapped in the waiting place Press conferences are not the only recurring agenda item on Capitol Hill amid the government shutdown.
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Many consumers have started to turn their backs on luxury goods; fed up with a lack of ingenuity, skyrocketing daily expenses, and arguably declining quality, shoppers are thinking twice before splurging on designer items.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • China has its tight controls on all online activity, maintaining bans on top American digital entities such as Google Search, Facebook, Instagram and Reddit.
    Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2025
  • By separating, the two new entities should trade at multiples closer to their industry peers, and their combined values should be worth more than what DuPont currently trades at, which was around $76 per share on Monday for a market capitalization of about $32 billion.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • And a lot of the pseudepigrapha, like the fake gospels and fake apocalypses, fill in gaps in the record that can serve latter-day, post-biblical purposes.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
  • This particular challenge serves many purposes.
    Joe Boylan, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And a ballistic Sean Payton dash onto the field to protest the call that led to another flag and the distance to the end zone cut to a yard.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Peaceful protesting with song and dance Despite the many criticisms that anti-Trump protesters came to preach, there were displays of optimism, hope and whimsy in several cities.
    Emma Bowman, NPR, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • And while handing Ole Miss its first loss of the year was reason to celebrate, things got pretty somber rather quickly for the Bulldogs after learning the injury status of one of their top playmakers.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
  • In addition, a stranger will come to town that will shake things up for Sharon and recontextualize both her past and her present.
    Alamin Yohannes, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • So far, more than 4,000 employees have been laid off, disrupting government services devoted to, among other things, cybersecurity efforts, special education programs, substance abuse treatment and loans for small businesses.
    Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The substance can pollute the environment after nuclear accidents and can persist in soil or water.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The firm’s ultimate goal is to license the technology as well as making it.
    Andrew Saunders, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Skinner leads the team with two goals, while Celebrini, Smith, and Dmitry Orlov have three assists each.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Police body cam footage recreates the months that led up to the tragic shooting, reconstructing the tale of a woman who frequently complained about the neighborhood's kids and hurled racial slurs at them before claiming the life of one of their mothers.
    Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
  • For example, the brand had to reissue and had to rebrand its peptide lip treatment after customers complained about the texture.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Object.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/object. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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