PURPOSES Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

purposes 1 of 2

noun

plural of purpose

as in goals

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in roles

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

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purposes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of purpose

as in plans

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 purposes

Noun

The measure would require new local tax increases or extensions that are used for specific purposes to receive a two-thirds vote to pass. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026 The septet is also planning on working on new material for full-band endeavors as well as individual purposes. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2026 The benefit of being an official NFL partner is more for marketing purposes instead of anything that actually impacts lines. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Well, myself and the people in my office, but yes, for all intents and purposes, it has not been seen by anyone. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026 The source said Swalwell was held at SFO for search purposes and released the same day. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 Local property taxes are deductible for the purposes of federal income tax. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026 RSVPs are encouraged for space planning purposes, but not required. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 2026 This article is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. — Manny Khan, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposes

Noun

Pavel Mintyukov and Beckett Sennecke each had two goals and an assist for the Ducks, and Laurent Brossoit made 23 saves.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Ottawa continues to defend well, allowing the eighth-fewest goals at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick.

— Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of goals

Noun

Leading up to Tuesday evening, Democrats from across the ideological spectrum were preemptively laying claim to their roles in helping flip the House and their visions for what a Democratic majority might be capable of doing.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026
His experience includes accounting, medical device sales and business development roles with companies including Baxter, Cardinal Health and Quest Diagnostics.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of roles

Verb

Tinderholt plans to lower property taxes, fully fund law enforcement, audit county government, grow the county economy and protect election integrity.

— Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
The company plans to submit its formal Regulatory Engagement Plan to Washington in early 2027.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of plans

Noun

This material does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for you.

— , CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
Since the oil embargoes of the 1970s, US presidents have been keenly aware that Americans have a very limited willingness to tolerate pain at the pump in the service of foreign policy objectives.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of objectives

Noun

Existing approaches typically require specialized algorithms for different tasks, limiting their wider use in robotics.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
Once an agent demonstrates consistent performance, routine tasks with limited consequences can be automated more fully.

— Gaurav Aggarwal, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of tasks

Noun

Depending on your tolerance for grand aims and liturgical self-seriousness, her latest album may strike you as extraordinary or unbearable.

— Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026
Analysts voice skepticism that a new target list or more destruction will reverse the war allies’ failure to achieve their major aims.

— Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of aims

Noun

In July, Disney made job cuts eliminating several hundred jobs across certain corporate functions, including at Pixar, ESPN, Disney Entertainment Television and Disney’s studios.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026
The genre isn’t bound by a specific sound and instead functions as a loose commercial category and a symbol of cultural stardom.

— Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of functions

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purposely

purposes

purposing

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Style

“Purposes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposes. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of purposes

noun

verb

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