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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
What really changed were the business objectives of the platforms as more users, creators and businesses flooded the internet. Solo Ceesay, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2025 But unlike most of their rivals, Newcastle have already secured their season’s objectives. Chris Waugh, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Instead, when basing the ranking on objective crime data from the FBI, U.S. News ranked Portland the 15th most dangerous city in the country. Zachary Russell, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025 This process ensured a consistent and objective methodology across all seven systems. Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for objective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for objective
Noun
  • And then there's still a question after that, of meaning and purpose.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The two sides talked football on the visit, but the other purpose of bringing him to the Virginia Mason Athletic Center was to learn about the young man under the helmet.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Economists rarely find consensus—but the empirical evidence against sweeping tariffs is nearly unanimous.
    Christian Catalini, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Some of Trump’s critics used sketchy arguments and weak empirical evidence to accuse Facebook and other social media services of having allowed Russian propagandists to manipulate Americans into voting for a leader with authoritarian predilections.
    Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The surprise move marked another unexpected twist in a long-running drama at the state Capitol as the state’s electric utilities battle fiercely against Gillett, a Simsbury attorney who critics say acts like a consumer advocate instead of an impartial utility regulator.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Most golf fans with no real allegiance were rooting for McIlroy to complete the Slam after more than a decade of failures at Augusta National, just as most impartial baseball fans rooted for the 2016 Cubs to beat Cleveland and end their 107-year championship drought.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Easter 2025 happens to fall on a day with an unusual number of historical tragedies and ironies.
    Terry Collins, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • This historical information becomes increasingly valuable during organizational transformations, providing the stability and context needed to manage change effectively.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • With 16 goals and five assists in 32 games, Bryan Mbeumo might already be in your ‘joy to watch’ list.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The seventh-place Lions are only below Chelsea on goal differential and have just a one-point deficit with Manchester City for the final Champions League spot.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Culture community aimed at creating equitable business pathways for Black and Brown professionals.
    Brianne Garrett, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Like his Secretary of State, Cordell Hull, who spearheaded trade reform, Roosevelt understood that tariffs were a tax on poor and working Americans and regarded the use of the progressive income tax as a much more equitable—and economically advantageous—means of raising revenue.
    Time, Time, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This article has been updated with additional information and remarks. fairness meter fairness meter Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
  • If false narratives start to snowball, respond quickly with clear, factual messaging and a human voice.
    Taazima Kala, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • He’s founded a Miami shoe recycling and reuse company, Sneaker Impact, with the aim of reducing the environmental and climate footprint of the massive athletic shoe industry.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Hughes had been negotiating with Salah and his representative, Ramy Abbas Issa, for several months with the long-term aim of keeping the top goalscorer at the club.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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