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

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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

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
On a blistering surprise EP, Deafheaven find the vicious attack and grandiose drama of symphonic black metal perfectly suited to their purposes. — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026 The area, for all intents and purposes, has always functioned as the back of the museum. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 Selling possessions Pat and her husband, who asked that their last name not be used for privacy purposes, are both around 75. — Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026 No student information is to be disclosed for immigration enforcement purposes without a court order or subpoena, according to state law. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026 Other independents in the Senate, including Maine's Angus King on the moderate end and Vermont's Bernie Sanders on the left, caucus with Democrats for organizational purposes and committee assignments. — Nicholas Ingram, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026 George Cheeks will become, for all intents and purposes, the most powerful executive in linear TV. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026 Each petal serves both structural and aesthetic purposes, enclosing a vast central hall that can accommodate up to 2,500 worshippers. — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026 Subscription rights, usage charges, licensing and referral arrangements serve different purposes. — Rishi Katdare, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposes
  1. goals
  2. roles
  3. plans
  4. objectives
  5. tasks
  6. intends
  7. aims
  8. functions
Noun
  • The association reiterated its support for SB 707’s textile circularity goals while challenging CalRecycle’s choice of the organization tasked with implementing them.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • That took Chelsea to six goals inside the first seven minutes of games this season, something no Premier League side has previously managed across any six-game spell.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of goals
Noun
  • Five films are directed by filmmakers from outside the Baltic countries, with Baltic talent and expertise playing significant roles in their production.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
  • If several initiatives require people to learn new systems, adjust roles, rethink priorities and build new routines simultaneously, the combined cognitive burden may be much greater than leaders anticipate.
    — Shahrzad Jalali, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of roles
Verb
  • Whether Musk plans to build (or buy) another wireless network or pressure the incumbents to strike deals with SpaceX, the telecoms' oligopoly is looking shakier.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Paramount plans to upgrade the theater with state-of-the-art projection systems and in-seat food and drink service, Rick Caruso, whose company owns the Palisades Village shopping center where the Bay Theater is located, said in an interview.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of plans
Noun
  • Beijing, on the other hand, has pursued its space objectives consistently since the early 1990s, revising programs as technology evolves without losing sight of its end goal.
    — Kathleen Curlee, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The code establishes the objectives of the city safety program, including reducing injuries to city employees and members of the public through safety standards, training and accountability.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of objectives
Noun
  • State agencies, including the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security, have helped local officials with damage assessments and power restoration, among other tasks.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • However, the agreement does not yet specify the humanoid model that will be used for the new logistics applications, the exact logistics tasks to be tested, the number of robots involved, or a timetable for routine deployment.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of tasks
Verb
  • Cornell said Yates will report her findings and recommendations to a special committee of its Board of Trustees, which intends to share the results with the university community.
    — Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • There is no indication the charity intends to share its classrooms’ recordings with anybody else, but fears about the potential misuse of surveillance technology are heightened in Gaza after three years of war.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of intends
Noun
  • The mix of modern and vintage aims to make customers feel fully immersed in the world of Coach.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The Street loves this stock for some unfathomable reason, even as the company is antithetical to its aims.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of aims
Noun
  • And warming temperatures are hindering their ability to perform essential functions.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Know your supply chain, extend visibility to raw material, connect data across functions, automate compliance monitoring and build documentation readiness.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of functions

Browse Nearby Words

purposely
purposes
purposing
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Cite this Entry

“Purposes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposes. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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