Synonyms of purposes

purposes 1 of 2

noun

plural of purpose

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

• goals
• plans
• objectives
• aims
• intents
• intentions
• ideas
• objects
• ambitions
• things
• dreams
• aspirations
• meanings
• targets
• ideals
• designs
• points
• pretensions
• ends
• projects
• bournes
• marks
• hopes
• schemes
• desires
• wishes
• minds
• plots
• destinations
• holy grails
• grails
• nirvanas
• termini

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• means
• methods
• ways

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

• roles
• tasks
• functions
• jobs
• works
• parts
• capacities
• places
• positions
• missions
• businesses
• activities
• concerns
• situations
• hands
• duties
• services
• involvements
• offices
• affairs
• occupations
• uses
• participations
• responsibilities
• vocations
• pursuits
• posts
• assignments
• employs
• niches
• callings
• commissions
• charges

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

• plans
• intends
• means
• aims
• hopes
• contemplates
• wishes
• goes
• looks
• designs
• proposes
• tries
• purports
• attempts
• allows
• aspires
• calculates
• figures on
• dreams
• considers
• meditates
• schemes
• plots
• debates
• endeavors
• struggles
• accomplishes
• effects
• strives
• mulls (over)
• achieves
• performs
• ponders
• executes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of purposes

Noun

If approved, the legislation would extend exemptions to class cars built between 1976 and 1985 that are used primarily for exhibition purposes and have limited use on public roadways. — Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Warner said Idaho Public Archaeology, which has had around 400 volunteers and 5,000 visitors to various projects over the years, serves multiple purposes. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 13 Aug. 2026

But at least 50 officers have been accused of or charged with using license-plate readers for unauthorized purposes, stalking women, according to a Washington Post investigation. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026

The Washington Post reported earlier this month finding nearly 50 instances of police officers charged or accused of using the cameras for unauthorized purposes, many for tracking current or former romantic partners or family members. — Sarah Rankin, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Under Connecticut’s Juvenile Matters Act, 16- and 17-year-olds generally fall within juvenile jurisdiction because they are recognized, and treated, as children for delinquency purposes. — Keith Wortz, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026

These two steps often happen around the same time but serve different purposes. — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026

Instead, the Children's Trust was used and abused by the Kittrells for exclusively their own purposes and in fact the Kittrells treat the trust assets for nearly all purposes as their own. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

While a young child predicting that robots will one day do their homework might seem pretty innocuous, the same kind of tools can be used for far more nefarious purposes. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 6 Aug. 2026