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

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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
Place another clean, white towel on the area and weigh it down with a heavy object to press out any residual moisture. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025 Contextual Consistency: Unlike DALL-E 3, which often struggled with maintaining character or object consistency across multiple images, 4o shows improved performance in serial generation. —Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
In May, Poppi settled for nearly $9 million a class-action lawsuit brought by a California woman who objected to the company’s health claims; Poppi did not acknowledge any fault, liability, or wrongdoing. —Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025 Nicklaus Companies objected to Nicklaus in licensing his IP to golf tournaments and allegedly rejecting use of his NIL in a potential video game. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Mar. 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
  • Pulse Picks One item, one innovation has continued to lead a revolution in women’s sports, and on a larger scale, women’s rights: the sports bra.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • If that’s the case, this bag would not be the only Balenciaga item these very wealthy friends have in common.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of item
Noun
  • These entities paid the Cuban doctors a small fraction of what the foreign government paid Cuba.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
  • One such entity with a story worth telling is West Texas Counseling & Guidance, (WTCG).
    — Jack Fowler, National Review, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of entity
Noun
  • Gemini Shuhua Xiong Mercury Retrograde Ends in Pisces on April 7: Rewrite the narrative around purpose.
    — Colin Bedell, Them., 3 Apr. 2025
  • The remote Norwegian territories, both in the Arctic Ocean, are often mentioned together because of their geographical proximity and the fact that they are collectively designated by the International Organization for Standardization (for statistical purposes).
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of purpose
Verb
  • Joni Auden Land/OPB Thousands of people participated in the Hands Off! demonstrations across the U.S. on Saturday to protest President Trump and Elon Musk's actions.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The American Dental Association sent letters to lawmakers to protest the ban, and some municipalities also fought it.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of protest
Noun
  • Jake Paul has nothing but good things to say about his Disney days.
    — Nicholas Rice, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Few things can complicate the otherwise straightforward matter of death quite like family and the possibility of inheritance.
    — Ashley Case, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of thing
Noun
  • But once Mulaney talked his wife Olivia Munn into giving him the cash because he’s not allowed to have more than $300 in cash due to his past issues with substance abuse, the manager then requested $100,000 and finally the Everybody’s Live crew began to notice the red flags.
    — Angel Diaz, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Whalers also brought spermaceti, a waxy substance that comes from a sperm whale’s head and is used to produce candles and lubricants for precision machinery like watches and clocks.
    — Austin Choi-Fitzpatrick, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of substance
Noun
  • The goal, encouraged by the Boise Police Department, was to reinforce the message that gang activity wasn’t welcome, Gilbert said in an interview.
    — Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 7 Apr. 2025
  • But it should be noted that other states like California, Colorado, and Washington are behind their short-term goals as well.
    — Kenneth Lovett, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of goal
Verb
  • Pundits complained last year’s Cannes was a light affair, but that had to do with the bottleneck created by the strikes, for one.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The new plan arrives after many existing Claude subscribers complained of hitting rate limits frequently.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of complain

Browse Nearby Words

obituary
object
objected
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Object.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/object. Accessed 13 Apr. 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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