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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
The group’s objective is to increase awareness of death helping people make the most of their lives. Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025 Scientific objectives include gaining an understanding of the Reiner Gamma swirl mini-magnetosphere region and its magnetic and plasma properties. TBD, 2025: Blue Origin New Glenn carrying Blue Moon Mark 1 (MK1), a single-launch, lunar cargo lander that remains on the surface. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
By all objective measures, Elvis Presley was a hunk, a hunk of burning love. Kim Willis, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2025 Subjectivity and Self-Perception For both experts, the key issue is not an objective difference in attractiveness but rather how each person sees themselves and each other within the framework of cultural norms. Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for objective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for objective
Noun
  • Louisville Parks and Recreation Public Information Supervisor Katey Cook said Phase I of the project, including placing new grass for all the holes, rebuilding tees, adding a dual purpose tee area for select holes and regrading the terrain, will be complete by this fall and playable by Spring 2026.
    Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The spokesperson added that YouTube will not retain data from users’ IDs or credit cards to use for advertising purposes.
    Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Emotions and instincts cannot substitute empirical demand validation.
    Raheel Sheikh, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • The president's allegation that crime in Washington, D.C., is out of control is contradicted by empirical evidence.
    Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The vice president would have been better advised to stand for fair and impartial maps in the Hoosier State and beyond.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Aug. 2025
  • The debate over whether algorithms can ever be truly impartial has been simmering for years; what’s new is the urgency to move from philosophical musing to enforceable standards.
    Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The Nelson House, a historical house built in the 1890s, is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.
    Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Not in a fictional, science fiction way, but in a factual, historical way.
    Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • As worsening climate impacts threaten operating conditions, the industry’s emissions continue to rise, moving us further from 2030 goals.
    Kurt Kipka, Sourcing Journal, 5 Aug. 2025
  • That could also undermine Trump’s key goal of lowering interest rates: A lack of trustworthy data could drive investors out of US Treasuries, sending bond yields higher, and increasing the cost of living for Americans.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s the person who can integrate diverse expertise, promote equitable contributions, and cultivate trust.
    Jamil Zaki, Harvard Business Review, 15 Aug. 2025
  • School funding was made more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing state revenue on those needs, the release said.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The formula for Winner’s Circle became the firm’s calling card: fresh factual entertainment or documentary content focused on stories and names that young audiences care about, produced with the latest technology.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Have honest and factual conversations with friends and family about why due process matters.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • On the ball, Maresca’s preference is for his side to build with short passes from his goalkeeper, often with the aim of baiting opponents into a press that creates space higher up the pitch.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Eleven projects were selected, with the aim of getting three to be operational in less than a year, Reuters reported, and wider commercial deployment expected by 2030.
    J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 13 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Objective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/objective. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

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