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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
If the Authority is able to complete that segment, its next objective appears to be Gilroy in Northern California with an aspirational service date in 2038. Marc Joffe, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025 That was the biggest objective. Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The actress did her due diligence in objective research on the project, though. Andrew McGowan, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025 But objective wins — not subjective talent — determine who goes to the playoffs. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for objective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for objective
Noun
  • Swets, who has expertise with special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), formed Greenland Exploration with his investment and merchant banking firm, FG Nexus, and agreed to merge with March GL and find a suitable SPAC to take the company public.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Sea lines of communication, or SLOCs, are the principal maritime routes between ports used for trade, military or other purposes.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Similar to finding that planets do not orbit the earth, the search for economics anomalies requires searching for empirical facts that cannot (easily) be explained using the standard economic model where everyone chooses by optimizing and makes no systematic mistakes.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Developed over two years, the CCI aims to give brands an empirical readout of how social, search and site traffic activity correspond with real economic indicators, from consumer demand to share-price performance.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 17 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
  • The site has housed many historical figures over the years, from Queen Margaret to Mary, Queen of Scots.
    Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Teenagers can only take so many historical facts or visits to ancient ruins and notable churches.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Officials at the Water Reclamation Authority are pursuing new goals after the utility was officially released last year from a pair of longstanding legal agreements that required the utility to address sewer overflows, leading to major investments across the system.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Before the judges revealed their scores, Leavitt told cohost Julianne Hough that her sole goal in week 6 was to redeem her week 5 stumble during a soulful contemporary routine dedicated to her husband.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • To advocate for and support policies that ensure a healthy, safe, equitable and respectful learning environment, as well as a sense of belonging for each student in our school community.
    Pioneer Press elections team, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Ensure equitable pay at the moment decisions are made.
    Katica Roy, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Rather, her photos, documents and collages point to the extreme paucity of surviving evidence and the utter impossibility of a cohesive, factual narrative.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
  • According to Bower’s account, Halligan did not identify any factual inaccuracy in the report.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The aim is to drill the first well slowly, entering five different geologic zones and testing for oil and gas in each of them.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The following month, Lana Del Rey posted a song snippet taking aim at Cain.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Objective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/objective. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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