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purpose

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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
Music was a way of discovering my purpose within the universe. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2025 Officials did not share details concerning the purpose of the search. Julius Miller, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025 His purpose was to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the genocide and advocate for the release of 23 hostages detained in Azerbaijan. Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 10 May 2025 Nothing quite represents a club’s identity like the crest; that is its purpose by definition. Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for purpose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purpose
Noun
  • Amid uncertainty over Trump’s sweeping tariffs, inflation eased to a four-year low in April, but is still above the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • Ovechkin’s blast got the NHL’s career goals leader on the scoresheet for the first time in the series.
    Aaron Beard, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • Warning signs: Compulsively planning for every possible scenario Struggling to celebrate wins because you're fixated on next challenges Feeling perpetually restless about pending tasks How to break free: Turn your forward-thinking tendency into an advantage through temporal distancing.
    Melody Wilding, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • Keeping Edmonton off the board for sixty minutes is no easy task.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • The Miami-headquartered Restaurant Brands International (RBI) plans to spend up to $700 million through 2028 as part of its plan to revitalize Burger King.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • Warning signs: Compulsively planning for every possible scenario Struggling to celebrate wins because you're fixated on next challenges Feeling perpetually restless about pending tasks How to break free: Turn your forward-thinking tendency into an advantage through temporal distancing.
    Melody Wilding, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • Launched in 2024 with the aim of addressing the needs of the 50-and-older club, Myne Beauty debuted direct-to-consumer with two skin care products — a $49 hydrating serum and a $48 night cream formulated with retinol, vitamin C and peptides.
    Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 22 May 2025
  • Israel's launch of another offensive in Gaza in recent days with the aim of returning the hostages comes amid international condemnation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu government's 11-week blockade of the area.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Brissett, who started the first five games of the season, is now gone, which frees up Maye to take on a more commanding leadership role.
    Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 13 May 2025
  • Now, Lee has taken on a new role as an ambassador for the American Kidney Fund, using her platform to raise awareness and advocate for others facing similar health challenges.
    Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • The move is expected to impact millions of borrowers who haven’t paid their loans for approximately nine months, and the Trump administration intends to garnish a portion of workers’ wages if their loans remain unpaid.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • That arrangement was always intended to be temporary, but for nearly two decades, the details of untangling such massive, important institutions have bedeviled three presidential administrations – including Trump’s first.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • Eight months later, in January 2020, the couple announced their intentions to step back from their working royal roles.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 20 May 2025
  • Consider adopting this framework, which is rooted in alignment, intention and daily practice.
    Tia Smith, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • In addition, many of the job posted on giant job boards are out-of-date or ghost jobs, posted for a variety of reasons including EEO and creating the public perception that the company is thriving.
    Rebecca Fraser-Thill, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • With time, Dewan’s father eventually went back to school, got a solid state job, and worked at the post office and a hospital.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 24 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purpose. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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