purpose 1 of 2

purpose

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun purpose contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of purpose are aim, design, end, goal, intention, intent, objective, and object. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," purpose suggests a more settled determination.

being successful was her purpose in life

Where would aim be a reasonable alternative to purpose?

The meanings of aim and purpose largely overlap; however, aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

When would design be a good substitute for purpose?

While the synonyms design and purpose are close in meaning, design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

When might end be a better fit than purpose?

While in some cases nearly identical to purpose, 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 can goal be used instead of purpose?

In some situations, the words goal and purpose are roughly equivalent. However, goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

When is intent a more appropriate choice than purpose?

The words intent and purpose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

When is it sensible to use intention instead of purpose?

Although the words intention and purpose have much in common, 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 purpose?

Object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.

his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

In what contexts can objective take the place of purpose?

The synonyms objective and purpose are sometimes interchangeable, but objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

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 purpose
Noun
Also, the researchers used these data to examine patterns across the group, so the purpose was not to label individuals. Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025 Smithers' current attorneys most recently argued that executing an elderly person violates his constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment and no longer served the initial purpose of his death sentence. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025 Handbags and shoes are being designed with both beauty and purpose in mind. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025 Building toward a fully reusable future Every Starship test flight serves a dual purpose. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for purpose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purpose
Noun
  • The firm’s ultimate goal is to license the technology as well as making it.
    Andrew Saunders, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Skinner leads the team with two goals, while Celebrini, Smith, and Dmitry Orlov have three assists each.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Abdel Kareem Hana—Associated Press Attention will now also turn to the huge task of reconstruction inside Gaza.
    Richard Hall, Time, 12 Oct. 2025
  • In addition to being a stickler for city ordinances, Rader was known to participate heavily in outside activities like leading his son’s Cub Scout group and doing administrative tasks at the Christ Lutheran Church.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The researchers plan to address the light sensitivity issue by modifying how the vitamin interacts with the electrolyte and by improving the engineering of the flow cell itself.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Thomas Tuchel plans to speak to the Real Madrid midfielder.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • His aim was to make the earth a better place in which to live by creating something beautiful.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The aim is to filter even more content than the PG-13 rating.
    Anna Halkidis, Parents, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • He has been nominated twice before in the Younger Actor category in 2005 and 2006, and has held the role since 2004 with one brief hiatus.
    Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • In what ways will his grief manifest this season, and what role will his struggle with sobriety play in his emotional journey?
    Alamin Yohannes, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The flip side to Marner’s exit is that the Leafs have cap flexibility and intend to take a swing with it.
    Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The addition, intended for anyone age 10 and older, is a fish tank filter that can be attached to a tropical aquarium.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Islamabad is now more likely to consider Delhi’s growing friendliness with the Taliban to harm Pakistan’s interests a real possibility, regardless of Delhi’s actual intentions.
    Happymon Jacob, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The following morning, Speak discovered his friend after arriving at his house to pick him up, the intention being to take him to Manchester Airport for a flight to Dubai.
    Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • All of which begs the question, can—and should—Europe use the once-in-a-generation opportunity presented by decarbonization to reboot its own renewables supply chain, creating green jobs and sustainable wealth for the future?
    Andrew Saunders, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025
  • After graduating from high school in 1971, Silvana Clark enrolled at a community college after receiving guidance from her drama teacher, George Meshke, who had taken a job there.
    NPR, NPR, 14 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purpose. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on purpose

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!