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

Should Trump decide to change course on Iran, he – and others – may think that the money, effort and lives of 19 American servicemen killed in the conflict would have been spent with no obvious objective achieved. — Javed Ali, The Conversation, 6 Nov. 2026 Trump has launched a war whose economic consequences have helped turn voters against him, while alienating the very allies whose support might have helped secure its objectives. — David Averre, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2026

Adjective

Ask for objective information that can be verified, rather than subjective advice, particularly in high-risk health contexts. — Robin Brewer, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026 Only in the sense that finding the next thing that has some objective verifiability seems very rich for these tools. — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 26 Oct. 2026

Noun

Mauricio Marcon, a lawmaker of Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party, also questioned de Moraes’ objectivity on Tuesday. — Matthew Lee, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026 Consistent with our principles of objectivity and fair process, the referral neither adopts nor rejects the factual assertions in your letter and does not prejudge OPR's assessment. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for objective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for objective

Noun

North Korea’s Missile Administration said its cluster warheads fall into four categories, depending on their intended purpose.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
The flashback structure doesn’t serve much of a purpose except to delay the audience’s complete endorsement of a character who, though appropriately cantankerous, is unambiguously a hero and nice guy.

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of purpose

Adjective

But the way Honda is combining hands-on orientation with engineer-friendly schooling (like explaining off-road recoveries in empirical measures) seems like a great path to building a team that really cares about, and understands, its products.

— Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 28 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of empirical

Adjective

Our God, everyone’s God, the only God, is impartial and also universal.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Nov. 2026
An impartial analysis by the Riverbank City Attorney Tom Hallinan found that the measure is potentially unconstitutional, citing conflicts with housing and annexation laws.

— CBS News, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of impartial

Adjective

Woven throughout are historical photos Davis found in local archives.

— Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2026
This show-stopping historical hotel on the edge of the moor combines roaring fires and old-world grandeur with one of Devon’s best spas.

— Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of historical

Noun

The goal is to create an individual arrangement that provides support without making assumptions or singling the person out.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 Nov. 2026
Kushner said one of the goals of the Moscow meeting is to try to get Europeans added to the talks.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of goal

Adjective

An observational study published in 2022 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) found that adults who consumed more than half a tablespoon of olive oil per day had a 19% lower risk of death from heart disease.

— Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2026
However, observational studies cannot establish that the drugs themselves caused the lower dementia risk.

— Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of observational

Adjective

Lawmakers and educators have long mulled the idea of regionalizing school districts and reforming the ECS formula to make funding more equitable between school districts but there has been little change.

— Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 2026
Each has a role in addressing systemic labor challenges and supporting safe, equitable and dignified workplaces throughout global supply chains.

— Orine D’Souza, Footwear News, 9 Nov. 2026

Definition of equitable

Adjective

The findings could give lawmakers a factual basis to demand answers and intensify scrutiny of whether the administration misled the court.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Lower costs and safety measures Tencent has also worked to reduce factual errors when Hy4 retrieves information.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of factual

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“Objective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/objective. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of objective

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