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objective

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adjective

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun objective contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of objective are aim, design, end, goal, intention, intent, object, and purpose. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

When is aim a more appropriate choice than objective?

While in some cases nearly identical to objective, aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

When can design be used instead of objective?

The meanings of design and objective largely overlap; however, design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

In what contexts can end take the place of objective?

The words end and objective are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 is it sensible to use goal instead of objective?

Although the words goal and objective have much in common, goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

When would intent be a good substitute for objective?

The synonyms intent and objective are sometimes interchangeable, but intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

When might intention be a better fit than objective?

The words intention and objective 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

How do object and end relate to one another, in the sense of objective?

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 purpose be a reasonable alternative to objective?

While the synonyms purpose and objective are close in meaning, 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 objective
Noun
Séjourné explains that Europe simply doesn’t produce enough oil or gas, and therefore, reducing strategic independence is an objective in itself. Jessica Jurkschat, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025 Reflecting what is happening with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), another key objective of Ukraine's naval drone programme is to develop machines that can intercept and destroy enemy drones. Anastasiia Malenko, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Overseeing the district superintendent and treasurer are among the most important roles a school board plays, and this responsibility needs to be taken seriously with objective standards, transparently applied. Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025 Analyst Jason Helfstein’s new objective forecast implies the stock could rise 46% from Tuesday’s close. Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for objective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for objective
Noun
  • The stated purpose was to win a national championship like LSU’s three previous coaches, but Kelly lost at least three games in all four seasons and never got close to the CFP.
    Chris Vannini, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2025
  • This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Wilken repeatedly emphasized the three cases involve claims under antitrust law, not other areas of law, and whether other areas of law are impacted would require separate litigation, with evidence, testimony and empirical analysis.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The team’s analysis, published in Royal Society Open Science, included more than 50 shark species and provides some of the best empirical evidence to date for some kind of firm scaling rule in zoology.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Our reviews are impartial and our opinions are our own.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2025
  • In a supporting document filed by Kalshi in the Nevada case in April, Kalshi head of markets Xavier Sottile noted how ErisX, a predecessor to the current sports prediction market craze, previously butted up against the impartial access issue.
    Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Personal remembrance becomes interwoven with political fiction, historical fact, and mythological distortion in the flood of stories that customarily follows a war.
    Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Confederate statues should be placed in museums as historical artifacts, not remain in parks or other locations that imply honor.
    NPR, NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Whether your goal is to work in government, the private sector, or a nonprofit organization, our curriculum prepares you for diverse roles such as intelligence analyst, foreign service officer, military analyst, or special agent.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
  • But recent reports show that goal is nowhere near.
    Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Probitkin said Jefferson Health's goal is to maintain an equitable relationship with UnitedHealthcare with fair reimbursement levels that will benefit patients and enable LVHN to continue providing the highest quality of care, regardless of insurer.
    Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Nikolai Vitti, superintendent of the Detroit Public Schools Community District, wrote that the next mayor can lobby at the state level for more equitable funding for public schools.
    Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In factual, the slate includes Bolivian prison doc Inside Out, which goes inside the walls of the notorious San Pedro prison, run by inmates.
    Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The outlet also identified multiple factual errors.
    Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Its aims have expanded from the economic sphere to the geopolitical one, again with little resistance from Washington.
    Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
  • On the last day of the conference, a handful created the African Descendants Nationalist Independence Partition Party, with the express aim of founding a separate nation on American soil.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Objective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/objective. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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