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 tasks
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
John Hollinger, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Antoni, a former Heritage Foundation economist, had come under fire for his history of social media posts that used economic stats for partisan purposes, sexist remarks, and insults targeting gay TV anchors.
—Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Yet apart from the legal niceties, Israel has already, for all intents and purposes, taken over the territory.
—Ben Wedeman, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
There are a handful of things that should never be stored in a basement for safety purposes.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
—Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 1 Oct. 2025
Combs was convicted of two counts of transportation for the purposes of prostitution.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2025
The label is used in terms of law enforcement for investigative purposes and probing terrorist threats.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2025
Each diagnosis has a universal medical code used in health care settings for records and billing purposes.
—Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
While the Sixers theoretically have four centers, one is the brittle Joel Embiid, two are youngsters who haven’t clearly established themselves yet (Adem Bona and Johni Broome) and the other is a near-the-end Andre Drummond, who might also be traded for tax purposes.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Antoni, a former Heritage Foundation economist, had come under fire for his history of social media posts that used economic stats for partisan purposes, sexist remarks, and insults targeting gay TV anchors.
—Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Yet apart from the legal niceties, Israel has already, for all intents and purposes, taken over the territory.
—Ben Wedeman, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
There are a handful of things that should never be stored in a basement for safety purposes.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
—Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 1 Oct. 2025
Combs was convicted of two counts of transportation for the purposes of prostitution.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2025
The label is used in terms of law enforcement for investigative purposes and probing terrorist threats.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2025
Each diagnosis has a universal medical code used in health care settings for records and billing purposes.
—Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposes
Noun
-
Your goals can determine the type of account that makes the most sense.—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
But even with the headwinds, there’s still enough good news to be a bit more bullish about Nike’s prospects, even it more time is needed to effect its comeback goals.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Elon Musk and other AI leaders continue to insist that artificial general intelligence (AGI)—an AI that can think and learn like a human, across many tasks—is on the horizon.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Despite taking on extra tasks in hopes of landing a promotion, her career at the company never advanced.—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In an interview with Ars Technica, Fiaschetti said the company plans to keep Arcs in orbit for extended periods, ready to descend when called upon.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Prosecutors requested a 30-year sentence, and the Justice Department plans to appeal Boardman's decision.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Yet apart from the legal niceties, Israel has already, for all intents and purposes, taken over the territory.—
Ben Wedeman,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Flat, unending—for all intents and purposes, Kansas.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The technology functions by analyzing the measurements from existing sensors to generate new, synthetic data for another sensor that may be failing or too slow to capture key events.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The government shutdown that began this week furloughed thousands of federal workers, froze essential government functions across the nation — and also halted an essential part of Florida’s booming real estate market.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In reference to the discipline issue, JCPS defended its policies but also asked if the Office for Civil Rights intends to dissolve the resolution agreement the district entered into under the previous administration.—
Krista Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Once the league launches, Cole intends to inject playoff stakes at different times of the year, rather than waiting for October.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
What to know about these rankings These particular rankings have multiple objectives.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
In his early days an alpinist, 8,000-meter peaks represented isolated, remote objectives—true wilderness.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Variety was first to report on the guest starring roles added to the Scrubs reboot.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
-
This combination of liberal arts and engineering disciplines provided her with both analytical thinking skills and technical expertise, which would prove handy in her later roles in Silicon Valley.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purposes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposes. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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