OBJECTIVITIES Synonyms: 210 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

objective 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of objective

as in purpose

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish the summer camp's stated objective is to produce tournament-level tennis players

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objective

2 of 3

adjective

əb-ˈjek-tiv

as in empirical

based on observation or experience an objective assessment based solely upon the results of the experiment

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as in impartial

marked by justice, honesty, and freedom from bias the judge removed herself from the case because she doubted her ability to remain objective, given her friendship with one of the attorneys

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as in historical

restricted to or based on fact the paper's news stories strive to be scrupulously objective, with opinions clearly labeled as commentary

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objectivity

3 of 3

noun (2)

ˌäb-ˌjek-ˈti-və-tē

as in neutrality

lack of favoritism toward one side or another the teacher's objectivity would be seriously compromised if his own child were placed in the class

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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

In other words, the conservation objective has to come first, with the market serving as a tool rather than becoming the goal itself. — Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 Castling does not imply a change in Russia’s overall objectives, which remain the same as those invoked by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the time of the 2022 invasion. — Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026

Adjective

The Improvement Tracker is based on an objective formula that uses current and historical Maxwell Ratings. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026 By any objective standard, that technology was outdated, labor-intensive, imprecise, and inefficient. — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Noun

But because documentaries are, for now, made by humans and not robots, pure objectivity is impossible. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026 An algorithm trained on incomplete or unrepresentative data can reproduce inequities already present in healthcare, except now those decisions arrive wrapped in the appearance of objectivity. — Paula Ferrada, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for objective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for objective

Noun

Its purpose is to help eliminate malignant cells that may remain after surgery, reducing the chance of another tumor taking hold.

— Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
The decor nods to her career without losing sight of the hotel’s purpose as a place to unwind after a day exploring Music City.

— Tracey Teo, AJC.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of purpose

Adjective

During high-temperature runs conducted in September, engineers collected new empirical data to evaluate core behavior under extreme heat.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026
The risks posed by obesity, however, are based on more empirical data.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of empirical

Adjective

Sheriff Darryl Forté said in the news release authorized an investigation and requested help from the Jackson County Drug Task Force, an outside law enforcement agency, to ensure an impartial investigation.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026
While everyday Democrats threw their hands up in the air and wondered what on earth was happening, Garland’s Justice Department hemmed and hawed about staying impartial, objective, and neutral in the face of violent authoritarianism.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of impartial

Adjective

Meanwhile, in Bar Sur, regional maker Cata Flaño contributed a massive mixed-media mural combining watercolors with local peat, driftwood, and historical navigation charts marked at 55 degrees south.

— Liam Hess, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Rudnitzky said historical developments, the impact of the Oslo Accords and the entry of new Arab representatives into the Knesset contributed to a gradual shift away from Jewish parties, with more Arab voters turning to Arab parties.

— Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of historical

Adjective

Long-term, the picture is not so clear-cut because people who choose diet soda often differ from those who drink regular soda in many ways, which makes observational research tricky to interpret.

— Brittany Poulson, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2026
The Swedish polymath explores the sounds, language, and imagery of Americana on a drolly observational singer-songwriter album.

— Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of observational

Adjective

General Rob Bonta announced Tuesday that his office is seeking civil penalties and equitable relief against the operators of Chiquita Canyon Landfill in Castaic, accusing them of mismanaging its hazardous waste.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
They were not thrilled that women were allowed on campus, so there was this resistance to enforcing Title IX to becoming more gender equitable.

— Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of equitable

Adjective

Dunlay said the city prepared the report to provide the City Council with factual information about investments in the 2nd District over a 10-year period.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Within Italy’s unscripted sphere, the factual genre has seen the most significant growth, up 36% in terms of number of hours, with the number of domestic factual titles adapted from international formats doubling.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of factual

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“Objective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/objective. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of objective

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