Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

objective

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of objective

1 based on observation or experience
  • an objective assessment based solely upon the results of the experiment
Synonyms of objective

empirical (also empiric), existential, experiential, experimental, observational
Words Related to objective

actual, factual, genuine, hard, material, real

accepted, established, tried, tried-and-true

indisputable, undeniable

demonstrable, provable, verifiable
Near Antonyms of objective

conjectural, hypothetical, speculative

unproven, unsubstantiated

metaphysical, transcendentalist, visionary
Antonyms of objective

nonempirical, theoretical (also theoretic), unempirical
2 marked by justice, honesty, and freedom from bias
  • The judge removed herself from the case because she doubted her ability to remain objective, given her friendship with one of the attorneys.
Synonyms of objective

candid, disinterested, dispassionate, equal, equitable, evenhanded, fair, impartial, indifferent, just, nonpartisan, square, unbiased, unprejudiced
Words Related to objective

frank, forthright, open, straight, straightforward

balanced, rational, reasonable
Near Antonyms of objective

deceitful, deceptive, dishonest

arbitrary, unconscionable, unreasonable

jaundiced, unfriendly, unsympathetic

colored, distorted, warped
Antonyms of objective

biased, inequitable, nonobjective, one-sided, partial, partisan, prejudiced, unjust
3 restricted to or based on fact
  • The paper's news stories strive to be scrupulously objective, with opinions clearly labeled as commentary.
Synonyms of objective

documentary, factual, hard, historical, literal, matter-of-fact, nonfictional, true
Words Related to objective

actual, authentic, bona fide, genuine, real, right

documented, established

confirmable, reliable, supportable, sustainable, verifiable

demonstrable, provable

incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, irrefutable, undeniable, unquestionable

plain, simple

certain, undoubted
Near Antonyms of objective

hypothetical, speculative, theoretical (also theoretic)

apocryphal, unauthentic, undocumented

chimerical (also chimeric), fabulous, fanciful, fantastic (also fantastical), imaginary, imagined, invented, legendary, made-up, make-believe, mythical (or mythic), pretend

embroidered, exaggerated

insupportable, unsupportable
Antonyms of objective

fictional, fictionalized, fictitious, nondocumentary, nonfactual, nonhistorical, unhistorical

Synonym Discussion of objective

material, physical, corporeal, phenomenal, sensible, objective mean of or belonging to actuality. material implies formation out of tangible matter; used in contrast with spiritual or ideal it may connote the mundane, crass, or grasping.
    • material values
physical applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may contrast with mental, spiritual, or imaginary.
    • the physical benefits of exercise
corporeal implies having the tangible qualities of a body such as shape, size, or resistance to force.
    • artists have portrayed angels as corporeal beings
phenomenal applies to what is known or perceived through the senses rather than by intuition or rational deduction.
    • scientists concerned with the phenomenal world
sensible stresses the capability of readily or forcibly impressing the senses.
    • the earth's rotation is not sensible to us
objective may stress material or independent existence apart from a subject perceiving it.
    • no objective evidence of damage

objective

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of objective

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish
  • The summer camp's stated objective is to produce tournament-level tennis players.
Synonyms of objective

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

grail, holy grail

plot, project, scheme

desire, hope, mind, wish

nirvana

destination, terminus
Phrases Synonymous with objective

name of the game
Near Antonyms of objective

means, method, way

Synonym Discussion of objective

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 objective

  1. See words that rhyme with objective Dictionary: Definition of objective Medical Dictionary: Definition of objective Spanish Central: Translation of objective Nglish: Translation of objective for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of objective for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up objective? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games