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
For autonomous vehicle applications, this includes labeling 3D point clouds from lidar sensors and marking objects across video frames. Janakiram Msv, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 Users can directly zoom in on the objects to check their properties or search images for specific objects. Jay Kakade june 22, New Atlas, 22 June 2025
Verb
Holcomb objected, saying it hasn't been established that that definition is applicable to this case. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 18 June 2025 El Cajon leaders had objected to the results of the most recent point-in-time count showing a significant rise in homelessness within the East County city at a time when almost every other part of the region recorded a drop in encampments. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for object
Recent Examples of Synonyms for object
Noun
  • Stay away from water, wet items, and metal objects.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 20 June 2025
  • The protests have been largely peaceful, though some devolved into violence, with people throwing water bottles, cement, Molotov cocktails and other items at law enforcement officials.
    Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Another area to consider is incorporation, which is the process of making your business a distinct legal entity.
    Rhett Buttle, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • The continued transformation of traditional media companies into streaming-first entities has been another important trend, according to Fuhrer.
    Ali McCadden, CNBC, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • And the brands who roll with precision, purpose and personality will define the future of the category.
    Javier Hasse, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • That facility, whose purpose remains unclear, appears to be intact.
    Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Jennifer Shoulders, center, protesting the layoffs of National Park Service employees, at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area Visitor Center on March 1, 2025, near Boulder City, Nevada.
    Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
  • After years of protesting player comps or begrudgingly including them in my final column before the draft, the pressure to do them reached a critical mass.
    Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Miranda is so full of possibility and adventure and what’s going to come next, and Ada is trying so hard to be that way and to fill the deep well of her sadness and her loneliness and her bereavement with things like the Temperance movement.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 23 June 2025
  • Every week, Bee would send out the readings for the next class, which were often how-to guides for things like makeup and hair, lip syncing, song memorizing, and choreography.
    David Mack, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • The report says that running away can expose children to other adverse consequences like human trafficking, involvement with the criminal justice system, substance use and falling behind in school.
    Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025
  • The industry, which also helped Thailand become a tourist haunt for those looking to access the substance, was estimated in 2022 to hit $1.2 billion by 2025.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Israel is clear that its ultimate goal is to pound Iran into total submission to restore some semblance of the country’s prerevolutionary society.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 18 June 2025
  • The consortium’s goal is make Connecticut a premier hub for AI innovation.
    Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • His team-mates celebrated; the Boca players complained furiously, surrounding the referee and pointing at Marchesin.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • Several commentors have defended Wong and her administration, but others have complained there’s a pattern of high-handedness at Bloomfield town hall.
    Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Object.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/object. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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