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purpose

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of purpose

1 something that one hopes or intends to accomplish
  • the purpose of the research is to discover how the virus is transmitted
Synonyms of purpose

aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne (also bourn), design, dream, end, goal, idea, ideal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, point, pretension, target, thing
Words Related to purpose

grail, holy grail

plot, project, scheme

desire, hope, mind, wish

nirvana

destination, terminus
Phrases Synonymous with purpose

name of the game
Near Antonyms of purpose

means, method, way
2 the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists
  • still trying to discover her purpose in life
Synonyms of purpose

business, capacity, function, job, part, place, position, role (also rôle), task, work
Words Related to purpose

affair, concern, hand, involvement, participation

niche, office, post, situation

calling, occupation, pursuit, vocation

activity, assignment, charge, commission, duty, employ, mission, responsibility, service, use

Synonym Discussion of purpose

intention, intent, purpose, design, aim, end, object, objective, goal mean what one intends to accomplish or attain. intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.
    • announced his intention to marry
intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.
    • the clear intent of the statute
purpose suggests a more settled determination.
    • being successful was her purpose in life
design implies a more carefully calculated plan.
    • the order of events came by accident, not design
aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.
    • her aim was to raise film to an art form
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
object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.
    • his constant object was the achievement of pleasure
objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.
    • their objective is to seize the oil fields
goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.
    • worked years to reach her goals

purpose

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of purpose

to have in mind as a purpose or goal
  • I've been purposing to fix that thing for some time now
Synonyms of purpose

aim, allow [chiefly Southern & Midland], aspire, calculate, contemplate, design, go [chiefly Southern & Midland], intend, look, mean, meditate, plan, propose, purport
Words Related to purpose

dream, hope, wish

consider, debate, mull (over), ponder

attempt, endeavor, strive, struggle, try

plot, scheme

accomplish, achieve, effect, execute, perform
Phrases Synonymous with purpose

figure on

Learn More about purpose

  1. Dictionary: Definition of purpose Spanish Central: Translation of purpose Nglish: Translation of purpose for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of purpose for Arabic speakers

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