1
as in goals
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish
the purpose of the research is to discover how the virus is transmitted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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Recent Examples of purposes
Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Neiry says the birds are intended for peaceful purposes, to help with search and rescue operations and to monitor infrastructure.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 8 Feb. 2026
Plastic planters can be reused for purposes like sink caddies and office supply holders.
—Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 8 Feb. 2026
Jarod Hutson, of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, told The Associated Press the tools' purposes remain unclear.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Leaders making false equivalencies to her experience for political purposes is never acceptable.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026
The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only.
—William Jones, Ascend Agency, 7 Feb. 2026
Still, Butler was a stash-and-save player for developmental purposes.
—Jeff Howe, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Trump has tried to extract billions of dollars from universities and has succeeded in squeezing more than $400 million from four of them — Brown, Columbia, Cornell and Northwestern — for purposes of his choosing.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Neiry says the birds are intended for peaceful purposes, to help with search and rescue operations and to monitor infrastructure.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 8 Feb. 2026
Plastic planters can be reused for purposes like sink caddies and office supply holders.
—Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 8 Feb. 2026
Jarod Hutson, of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, told The Associated Press the tools' purposes remain unclear.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Leaders making false equivalencies to her experience for political purposes is never acceptable.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026
The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only.
—William Jones, Ascend Agency, 7 Feb. 2026
Still, Butler was a stash-and-save player for developmental purposes.
—Jeff Howe, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Trump has tried to extract billions of dollars from universities and has succeeded in squeezing more than $400 million from four of them — Brown, Columbia, Cornell and Northwestern — for purposes of his choosing.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposes
Noun
-
Paired with stronger workforce-training and credential programs, such a system could help steer students into the pathways best suited to their abilities and goals.—
Neetu Arnold,
Washington Post,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The Canadians scored twice in a minute soon after, with goals by Laura Stacey and Sarah Fillier prompting the Czechs to pull starting goalie Julie Pejsova for Michaela Hesova.—
John Wawrow,
Twin Cities,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Even so, our roles and relationships remained defined by the hierarchy of family.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
-
About Artforum Artforum is the magazine of record for the contemporary art industry and holds the unique roles of institution, nexus, and foremost tastemaker of the art world.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The audio-first company, which is owned by the Graham family — the Post’s owners before Bezos — plans to introduce original reporting, and will pick up some local beats, including sports and metro coverage.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Employer plans to hire were also at the lowest since 2009, the tail end of the Great Recession, when the jobless rate hovered near double digits, Challenger said.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Putin, however, has insisted that Russia would achieve its objectives in Ukraine one way or another.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Such programs cannot be done in isolation and require multiple teams, some with competing objectives.—
Mark Curriden,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The technology could also improve performance in collaborative tasks that require physical contact, such as object handling, assisted mobility devices, and service robotics, by allowing robots to continuously adjust grip and contact force during interaction.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Reservists are generally deployed for tasks in the Netherlands, but have occasionally also been sent overseas on a voluntary basis, said ministry spokesperson Meijer.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
He’s best known for breaking up that colossus, which is spurring speculation that PayPal’s board intends to sell off segments of the firm’s business.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Berryman plans to use her share to buy a house, and her brother intends to pay off his car, officials said.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But its function is political, linking that criminal activity to the aims and methods of political terror.—
Evandro Cruz Silva,
The Dial,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Whatever wavelength Oliver is operating on best suits Fennell’s apparent aims with her take on the story, and its absurdity alone recommends the film.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The gate, fabricated by welder and multimedia artist Daniel Scoggins, functions as artwork on the wall when it’s opened.—
Kelley Bruss,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Bravo said that code written by AI is innovating faster than some expected, but can’t fully replace the functions of research and development teams.—
Lola Murti,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purposes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposes. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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