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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
Edge’s technology seeks to enhance how fans experience tennis in-stadium or at home, aligning with a USTA Ventures’ objective. Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 27 June 2025 The objectives of this war cannot be viewed in isolation. Felice Friedson, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Adjective
Proper mild cognitive impairment diagnosis requires a cognitive complaint by the patient or family member, objective evidence of cognitive impairment on testing, preserved independence in daily functioning, and confirmation that the person does not meet criteria for dementia. Nawab John Dar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025 And nothing would shut down his haters faster than an objective win for U.S. interests. Philip Elliott, Time, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for objective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for objective
Noun
  • The purpose of the grants is to address the climate crisis and various environmental harms at the local level.
    Tracy J. Wholf June 26, CBS News, 26 June 2025
  • Users can examine the prompts and the chats that made those examples possible and even modify them for their own purposes.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • The plaintiffs presented no empirical evidence to the contrary—no evidence that the copying has already caused market harm, and no evidence that the copying is likely to cause market harm in the future.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 25 June 2025
  • Migration commentators in the U.K. point out there is little empirical evidence for a deterrence effect.
    Frey Lindsay, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • The government said that independence requirement merely means the task force is supposed to make recommendations based on their impartial medical and public-health judgments.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 June 2025
  • The court determined that prosecutors with the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office made procedural errors during the trial that undermined the jury’s ability to reach an impartial verdict.
    Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • Northern New York also tied historical records, with Plattsburgh hitting 101 degrees Fahrenheit the day prior.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • Williams said that even though the Holocaust has been the subject of intense historical interest over the years, many parts of that history, particularly in Eastern Europe, remain unexplored or unknown.
    Tom Dreisbach, NPR, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • After being shut out in the group stage opener, Man City's superstar Erling Haaland has caught fire, scoring a goal in each of their past two matches.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
  • While the goal, in light of the Heat’s middling status in the Eastern Conference after finishing in 10th place last season, has been to stay under the luxury tax in 2025-26, the Heat went into Monday with a variety of spending options on free agency.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • As new federal and state regulations favor local data and AI with human oversight, there has never been a better—or more urgent—moment to make the U.S. the global standard for secure, resilient, and equitable healthcare administration in the era of agentic AI.
    Vlad Panin, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • This year's honor roll comes at a critical time, as hospitals work to maintain equitable care amid potential Medicaid cuts, rising costs and ongoing workforce challenges.
    Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • This expansive series was edited by Paul E. Blackwood, a scientist and educator with the US Office of Education, who also wrote government bulletins and surveys on science education research As interest in children’s science books grew, many educators stressed the importance of factual accuracy.
    Jessica George, JSTOR Daily, 25 June 2025
  • Limited training data, large language model design and a lack of real-world experience can create responses that meet the best probable response instead of factual answers.
    Gaurav Basra, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • The aim is to remove tariffs and other trade barriers to ease the movement of goods in a continent of around 1.5 billion inhabitants.
    Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
  • Casting for the female lead is underway, the aim being to shoot later this year.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Objective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/objective. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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