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
ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
To remedy this, Wood recommends glass containers for storage purposes.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
The flashback — which lasts about 20 minutes — ultimately serves two purposes.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
The company is currently testing prototypes for various purposes.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
The permissible purposes for a 529 have recently expanded to allow up to $20,000 annually per beneficiary for K-12 tuition, tutoring, special needs therapies, nondegree credentialing programs and, sometimes, rollovers to Roth IRAs.
—Virginia Hammerle, Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
Hamas has previously denied using hospitals or other civilian facilities for military purposes.
—Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Indigenous people and Spanish settlers utilized the viscous goo for medicinal purposes and waterproofing boats.
—Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
The data would be used for other purposes.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
Iran has insisted its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
—ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
To remedy this, Wood recommends glass containers for storage purposes.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
The flashback — which lasts about 20 minutes — ultimately serves two purposes.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
The company is currently testing prototypes for various purposes.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
The permissible purposes for a 529 have recently expanded to allow up to $20,000 annually per beneficiary for K-12 tuition, tutoring, special needs therapies, nondegree credentialing programs and, sometimes, rollovers to Roth IRAs.
—Virginia Hammerle, Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
Hamas has previously denied using hospitals or other civilian facilities for military purposes.
—Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Indigenous people and Spanish settlers utilized the viscous goo for medicinal purposes and waterproofing boats.
—Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
The data would be used for other purposes.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposes
Noun
-
Democrats’ Biden-era goals of raising taxes on wealthy Americans and big companies to fund upgrades to health care, education, and clean energy were somewhat stifled by their 50-50 majority.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Kate Schneider’s hat trick with two goals led a well-balanced effort as Walpole used to down Ursuline 8-4.—
Kristina Banahan,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Other key Yoon allies have already been prosecuted for their roles in the martial law decree.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Salazar-Thompson’s ingenious new version of Hammett’s noir masterpiece features five versatile performers transforming between roles to bring 1920s San Francisco’s underbelly to hilarious life.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In a social media post on X, Huffines said the property has been renamed San Rafael Ranch after a saint associated with healing and that his family plans to operate a Christian retreat there.—
Susan Montoya Bryan,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The team plans to further refine the material and test its ability to isolate additional rare earth elements.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sustaining the county’s growth and maintaining affordability are critical objectives.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Adaptive reuse is one of the objectives behind the Central Area TIF, which has been tapped previously to help redevelop downtown buildings.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Teaching a robot to perform daily tasks Researchers highlighted that teaching a robot to perform daily tasks remains one of the great challenges in robotics.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Save your pickiest, most problematic tasks for days with strong, above-zero stars.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Strong, reliable products, a pledge to help the planet, and plenty of variety in color, style, and gear type, this is a brand for anyone who intends to go outside, no matter how intense (or relaxed) your adventures get.—
Jamie Spain,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Vast intends to launch a pathfinder station called Haven-1 to LEO in 2027, then use the experience gained to build and operate the multi-module Haven-2 over the next few years.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This two-part investigation begins with Harrison’s early days in Liverpool through his Fab Four years, including sojourns to India that radically changed the aims (and style) of the counterculture in Europe and North America.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The soft-spoken Stolz acknowledged that, yes, his aims are high, and, sure, he is flattered by the comparisons to Heiden.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The New Mexico measure prohibits state and local government contracts for ICE detention facilities and bars agreements that allow local law officers to carry out federal immigration functions.—
David A. Lieb,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Osmond and her sisters have variations on a gene that affects receptors for glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter with many functions throughout the brain.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purposes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposes. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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