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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

The signatories committed to the pledge as part of their social and ethical responsibility, with an objective to ensure healthy and safe working environments that protect models’ dignity. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026 This mantra helps guide all employees around a core objective, rather than directing staff through top-down initiatives. — Tamlin Magee, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Both Fontaines were scouts well ahead of the deep empirical and objective analysis of baseball data — sabermetrics is the catchall term — that some believe has made scouts obsolete. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 While the eye of the camera presents Cathy’s childhood as objective fact, Lee describes and then reframes his understanding of the past as an adult character in scenes Hoon Lee performs with astounding tenderness and pain. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

Noun

That his family doesn’t aggressively question him and the director doesn’t aggressively question him presumably is what allowed Tez to do this wild thing in the first place, and helps the documentary simulate objectivity. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026 Vibration monitors would provide some objectivity, said Leila Sauvage, a paper conservator at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam who specializes in the impacts of vibration on art. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for objective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for objective

Noun

On a blistering surprise EP, Deafheaven find the vicious attack and grandiose drama of symphonic black metal perfectly suited to their purposes.

— Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
Aside from being part of the salon decor, the sculpture’s purpose, Ingram explained, is to introduce Vero’s service to his clientele.

— Ari Stark, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of purpose

Adjective

The risks posed by obesity, however, are based on more empirical data.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Both Fontaines were scouts well ahead of the deep empirical and objective analysis of baseball data — sabermetrics is the catchall term — that some believe has made scouts obsolete.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of empirical

Adjective

Countries that try to stay impartial in international disputes are having a tough go these days.

— The Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Sep. 2026
Hardly an impartial judge of his own life, the Unabomber’s stated willingness to serve as the face of a revolutionary movement is chilling.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of impartial

Adjective

Annals are historical records arranged by year; the clue leverages the entry’s singular form to misdirect us.

— Sean McGowan, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Although robust buyer demand briefly drove yields down to session lows following the auction, yield levels above 5% remain substantially higher than the historical norm over the past decade.

— , CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of historical

Noun

The Biden administration built it back and set a goal of admitting 125,000 refugees during the final year of his term.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
The company currently takes about a day to build a robot, with the goal of reducing the process to approximately one hour next year.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of goal

Adjective

TikTok is a hotbed of beauty recommendations, but building a skin-care routine around products promoted on social media comes with risk, a small new observational study suggests.

— Korin Miller, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026
The Roku Channel has greenlit Scarlett Holmes, a limited series that will star Lucy Hale (Pretty Little Liars, 2024’s F*** Marry Kill) as a descendant of Sherlock Holmes who has inherited the family’s observational powers.

— Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of observational

Adjective

Since Elon Musk’s purchase of the platform in 2022, the founder has publicly stated that his goal is to make the app’s algorithm — and people’s feeds — free of political bias and more equitable for conservative posters.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2026
My why for Thirteen Lune was to help to make the beauty industry more equitable and inclusive, but from the lens of a founder.

— Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of equitable

Adjective

Could that feeling of truth be arrived at via extra-factual means?

— Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
The reason for that is the unquenching market need for solid factual projects that can both be popular on linear channels and drive older viewers to streaming services.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of factual

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“Objective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/objective. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of objective

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