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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 problem is that, over the past decade of football, pressing has stopped being considered an add-on and become the primary objective for many sides. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 22 July 2026 When the objectives change this fundamentally, the name should change, too. — Antoine Villata, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Adjective

Things were, by any objective measure, not going super well at Citi Field. — Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026 This takes the provenance research outside of the museums that own the works and thus could be suspected of being less than objective in evaluating such claims. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 16 July 2026

Noun

Independent validation is essential for maintaining objectivity. — Steve Taplin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Slot, as head coach, was more of a middle manager; someone who acted with the objectivity of a civil servant and the occasional bluntness of a corrections officer. — Simon Hughes, New York Times, 30 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for objective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for objective

Noun

The alleged purpose of the bill is to improve the retention of police and firefighters, but evidence shows there isn’t a retention crisis among these employees.

— Zachary Christensen, Oc Register, 24 July 2026
Selfie videos can be used for login purposes, to verify your age for accessing certain account features, and to create an AI avatar.

— Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2026

Definition of purpose

Adjective

This was upsetting to the Mainers who’d hoped that the people sent to the convention would be impartial.

— Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026
Argentina followers found the more official watch party at Centennial Park too um … impartial … for their tastes and moved their festivities a few blocks east.

— Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 16 July 2026

Definition of impartial

Adjective

The 1968 Benchmark The late 1960s marked the historical high-water mark for the real value of the federal minimum wage.

— Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
An international tribunal ruled in 2016 that China has no legal basis to claim historical rights to the bulk of the South China Sea.

— Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

Definition of historical

Noun

Mbappé did score twice in the match to eventually earn the Golden Boot for the most goals in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

— Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
But the unexpected hero of the night was Preston Plambeck, a homegrown player who came off the bench and scored the game-winning goal in the 87th minute, finishing off a rebound for his first MLS goal.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026

Definition of goal

Adjective

Shi draws on his own family history to examine ageing, domestic violence and intergenerational duty in contemporary China, working in a mode that marries close observational filmmaking with formally inventive cinematic language.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 July 2026
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, expected to launch at the end of August, can use its powerful observational tools to see what exists beyond the Kuiper Belt, Brandt added.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 July 2026

Definition of observational

Adjective

Those that combine strong technology, clinical rigor, and adaptability are best equipped to deliver equitable access in a maturing market.

— Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
That was the same year PrEP4All launched a National HIV Prevention Day to raise awareness of the fight for equitable access to comprehensive HIV prevention.

— Michael Chancley, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Definition of equitable

Adjective

Sanders noted that the president’s proclamation, which imposed a partial travel ban on holders of Antigua and Barbuda passports, contained several factual errors.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
The service has launched on the App Store, Google Play and a dedicated website with more than 100 titles across crime, drama, reality, dating, factual entertainment and docs.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 14 July 2026

Definition of factual

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“Objective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/objective. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of objective

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