object 1 of 2

noun

ˈäb-jikt How to pronounce object (audio)
Definition of objectnext
1
as in item
something material that can be perceived by the senses I kept tripping over countless little objects scattered about the darkened room

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in entity
one that has a real and independent existence trying to determine whether communication with the dead is an object for study, a hoax, or a figment of the imagination

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in purpose
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish the object of this course is to teach you algebra

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

object

2 of 2

verb

əb-ˈjekt How to pronounce object (audio)
as in to protest
to present an opposing opinion or argument they objected to the conductor's insistence that their train tickets were not valid

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun object contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of object are aim, design, end, goal, intention, intent, objective, and purpose. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.

his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

Where would aim be a reasonable alternative to object?

While in some cases nearly identical to object, aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

When is it sensible to use design instead of object?

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

the order of events came by accident, not design

When might end be a better fit than object?

The synonyms end and object are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 can goal be used instead of object?

The meanings of goal and object largely overlap; however, goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

When could intent be used to replace object?

While the synonyms intent and object are close in meaning, intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

In what contexts can intention take the place of object?

The words intention and object can be used in similar contexts, but intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

announced his intention to marry

When is objective a more appropriate choice than object?

In some situations, the words objective and object are roughly equivalent. However, objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

When would purpose be a good substitute for object?

The words purpose and object are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 object
Noun
This is because denser material pulls more strongly on nearby objects, while less dense material exerts a weaker pull. —Victoria Corless, Space.com, 19 May 2025 Stay away from water, wet items, and metal objects. —Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 2025
Verb
Court documents show the family objected to the 20-year-old’s motion to be released for proper medical care. —C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 12 May 2025 Betty Swartz, the company’s vice president of U.S. market access, objected to the measures in a pricing meeting with the CEO, who at the time was Alles, and other top executives. —David Armstrong, CNN Money, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for object
Recent Examples of Synonyms for object
  1. item
  2. entity
  3. purpose
  4. protest
  5. thing
  6. substance
  7. goal
  8. complain
Noun
  • Taking place from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, the swap will feature items from Decade and Red Hot (restocked every 30 minutes) along with clothing and accessories donated by people such as yourself.
    — Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 15 May 2025
  • Among the items up for auction are a Picasso-esque George Condo painting (Smiling Goddess), a Fast X Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody, a moody 2010 photo of Bono taken by Julian Lennon and a Geroge Hoyningen-Huene platinum palladium print of Josephine Baker from 1929.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 May 2025
Definition of item
Noun
  • Meanwhile, commercial entities collect vast amounts of consumer and health-related behavior data with little to no meaningful consent.
    — Mika Newton, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • The Emoluments Clause of the Constitution bars people who hold federal office from accepting gifts from foreign entities without Congress' approval.
    — Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Definition of entity
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
  • As new innovations take hold and produce positive results, remember to prune old practices that are no longer working or have outlived their purpose.
    — Michael B. Horn, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Definition of purpose
Verb
  • Mavericks fans haven’t stopped protesting and cursing Nico’s name since.
    — Zach Harper, New York Times, 13 May 2025
  • In California, people have protested against the tech billionaire at Tesla dealerships across the Sacramento area, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, as part of movements including the Tesla Takedown campaign.
    — Kendrick Marshall, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2025
Definition of protest
Noun
  • Instead of approaching them and giving them the opportunity to say mean things to you, consider trying to make friends with other girls -- girls who might like to be friends with you too.
    — Mark Mondier, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2025
  • The recipes are extremely easy for little kids to follow (my children particularly loved making pretzels), and the included tiny utensils are adorable and perfect for tiny hands (and for moms who just like using tiny things).
    — Adrienne So, Wired News, 17 May 2025
Definition of thing
Noun
  • On a personal level, attorneys may suffer from strained relationships, substance abuse and even suicidal ideation.
    — Raquel Gomes, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Later, to try to regain custody of his kids, the patient sought out intensive rehabilitation for substance use, prosecutors said.
    — Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Definition of substance
Noun
  • Amid uncertainty over Trump’s sweeping tariffs, inflation eased to a four-year low in April, but is still above the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal.
    — Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • Ovechkin’s blast got the NHL’s career goals leader on the scoresheet for the first time in the series.
    — Aaron Beard, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2025
Definition of goal
Verb
  • Cannon complained to Delta and to the Department of Transportation, which regulates airlines.
    — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • The expression was being used by representatives of some rather polarizing businesses, such as private prisons and fracking operators, who complained to Mr. Brooks, the acting comptroller of the currency, that their bank accounts were being closed without warning.
    — Rob Copeland, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Definition of complain

Browse Nearby Words

obituary
object
objected
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Cite this Entry

“Object.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/object. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on object

Nglish: Translation of object for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about object

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