aim 1 of 2

verb

ˈām How to pronounce aim (audio)
Definition of aimnext
1
as in to cast
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal the new accounting system is aimed at reducing costs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to intend
to have in mind as a purpose or goal aimed to have his paper all done in time to go to the movies

Synonyms & Similar Words

aim

2 of 2

noun

as in goal
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish the main aim of a trip to the city is to shop for school clothes, but we always go to the artisans' market, too

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun aim contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of aim are design, end, goal, intention, intent, objective, object, and purpose. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

When is design a more appropriate choice than aim?

Although the words design and aim have much in common, design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

Where would end be a reasonable alternative to aim?

While the synonyms end and aim are close in meaning, end stresses the intended effect of action often in distinction or contrast to the action or means as such.

willing to use any means to achieve his end

When would goal be a good substitute for aim?

The words goal and aim can be used in similar contexts, but goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

In what contexts can intent take the place of aim?

The words intent and aim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

When might intention be a better fit than aim?

In some situations, the words intention and aim are roughly equivalent. However, intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

announced his intention to marry

How are the words object and end related as synonyms of aim?

Object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.

his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

When can objective be used instead of aim?

The synonyms objective and aim are sometimes interchangeable, but objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

When could purpose be used to replace aim?

While in some cases nearly identical to aim, purpose suggests a more settled determination.

being successful was her purpose in life

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 aim
Verb
The team aims to identify solutions to mitigate or eliminate environmental contaminants and risks through not only physical building improvements, but also by providing families and property owners and managers with tools and resources to create healthier spaces. —Lizzie Kane, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025 House aims to pass tax bill this week: What's in Trump's tax bill? —Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 21 May 2025
Noun
The United Kingdom is taking steps to regulate the burgeoning buy now, pay later (BNPL) sector with the aim of protecting consumers from taking on untenable debt. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 20 May 2025 The realistic aim for Amorim is to get this team to be a top-half team. —Talk Of The Devils, New York Times, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for aim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aim
  1. cast
  2. intend
  3. goal
  4. direct
  5. plan
  6. purpose
  7. set
  8. hope
Verb
  • Pretty much everyone today who is prominent in casting was an aspiring director or actor and fell into the profession.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 May 2025
  • Something else that could potentially cast a shadow over the U.S. and China’s trade negotiations is Trump’s recent targeting of international students studying in the U.S., which impacts Chinese nationals.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 30 May 2025
Definition of cast
Verb
  • The move is expected to impact millions of borrowers who haven’t paid their loans for approximately nine months, and the Trump administration intends to garnish a portion of workers’ wages if their loans remain unpaid.
    — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • That arrangement was always intended to be temporary, but for nearly two decades, the details of untangling such massive, important institutions have bedeviled three presidential administrations – including Trump’s first.
    — Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Definition of intend
Noun
  • The goal is to haul Ford vehicles from the Kentucky Truck Plant to dealerships anywhere in the nation.
    — Jamie L. LaReau, USA Today, 26 May 2025
  • Those goals were just the fourth and fifth in 14 games this spring.
    — Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 26 May 2025
Definition of goal
Verb
  • Jonathan Spector’s play will be directed for TimeLine by Lili-Anne Brown and staged at a Chicago venue yet to be announced.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
  • Those critiques gave rise to fears that the Marshals could be caught in the middle of a power struggle if the White House or Justice Department direct them to ignore a court order or to yank security from judges, the Democrats said.
    — Carrie Johnson, NPR, 22 May 2025
Definition of direct
Verb
  • As planned, Trump went on to call Zelensky and other European leaders.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 25 May 2025
  • Ra-Ve, which had planned to use its grant to fund two concerts, will now only present one, Venkatasubramanya said.
    — Sean Clancy, Arkansas Online, 25 May 2025
Definition of plan
Noun
  • This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, legal, or cryptocurrency advice.
    — William Jones, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • Inside were human skeletal remains which officials believe were deposited for ritual purposes before the site was abandoned, according to the release.
    — Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Definition of purpose
Verb
  • Much of California is set for its first heat wave of the season and several parts of the state could experience record-high temperatures, weather experts predict.
    — Terry Collins, USA Today, 28 May 2025
  • Yet, both stars have flourished as professionals, with Reese setting rebounding records as a rookie, while Clark has become one of the most versatile players in the entirety of the league.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 28 May 2025
Definition of set
Verb
  • Chief Executive Elon Musk ‘s SpaceX hoped to release a series of mock satellites after liftoff, but that got nixed because the door failed to open all the way.
    — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
  • Then, in April, the New York Post reported that Clarkson hoped to leave the series when her contract was up, though there was no comment from either Clarkson’s team or series producer NBCUniversal at the time.
    — Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 28 May 2025
Definition of hope

Browse Nearby Words

ails
aim
aimed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aim. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on aim

Nglish: Translation of aim for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'Bring' vs. 'Take'

Is it 'used to' or 'use to'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

The Clinical History of 'Moron,' 'Idiot,' and 'Imbecile'

And So It Begins: 9 Words for Beginnings
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All