PURPOSE Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'purpose' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of purpose are aim , design , end , goal , intention , intent , objective , and object . While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," purpose suggests a more settled determination. // being successful was her purpose in life

Q: Where would 'aim' be a reasonable alternative to 'purpose'?

The meanings of aim and purpose largely overlap; however, aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing. // her aim was to raise film to an art form

Q: When would 'design' be a good substitute for 'purpose'?

While the synonyms design and purpose are close in meaning, design implies a more carefully calculated plan. // the order of events came by accident, not design

Q: When might 'end' be a better fit than 'purpose'?

While in some cases nearly identical to purpose , 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

Q: When can 'goal' be used instead of 'purpose'?

In some situations, the words goal and purpose are roughly equivalent. However, goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship. // worked years to reach her goals

Q: When is 'intent' a more appropriate choice than 'purpose'?

The words intent and purpose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness. // the clear intent of the statute

Q: When is it sensible to use 'intention' instead of 'purpose'?

Although the words intention and purpose have much in common, intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about. // announced his intention to marry

Q: How do 'object' and 'end' relate to one another, in the sense of 'purpose'?

Object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need. // his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

Q: In what contexts can 'objective' take the place of 'purpose'?

The synonyms objective and purpose are sometimes interchangeable, but objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable. // their objective is to seize the oil fields

purpose 1 of 2

noun

ˈpər-pəs

Definition of purpose

as in goal

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

as in task

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

purpose

2 of 2

verb

as in to plan

to have in mind as a purpose or goal I've been purposing to fix that thing for some time now

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun purpose contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of purpose are aim, design, end, goal, intention, intent, objective, and object. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," purpose suggests a more settled determination.

being successful was her purpose in life

Where would aim be a reasonable alternative to purpose?

The meanings of aim and purpose largely overlap; however, aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

When would design be a good substitute for purpose?

While the synonyms design and purpose are close in meaning, design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

When might end be a better fit than purpose?

While in some cases nearly identical to purpose, 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 purpose?

In some situations, the words goal and purpose are roughly equivalent. However, goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

When is intent a more appropriate choice than purpose?

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

the clear intent of the statute

When is it sensible to use intention instead of purpose?

Although the words intention and purpose have much in common, intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

announced his intention to marry

How do object and end relate to one another, in the sense of purpose?

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

his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

In what contexts can objective take the place of purpose?

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

their objective is to seize the oil fields

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 purpose

Noun

This dangling face flesh may look like Mother Nature’s idea of a practical joke, but it is actually packed with purpose. —Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 21 Mar. 2025 These conferences seized the initiative for football purposes, yes, and football is the dominant force in college sports money. —Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2025 Leaders who undergo this transformation report higher resilience, a greater sense of purpose, and an improved ability to navigate complexity. —William Jones, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025 Tehran has always said that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for purpose

Recent Examples of Synonyms for purpose

Noun

Even when new goals have been reached—voting rights, equal pay, equal employment opportunity—there’s still the monumental amount of work to be done on the other side of the victory in turning those achievements into cultural reality.

— Cassidy Randall, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
The goal: Eliminate the gross receipts tax portion of BIRT and reduce the net income portion by half by fiscal year 2039.

— Mike D'Onofrio, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025

Definition of goal

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purports

purpose

purposed

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“Purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purpose. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Last Updated: 25 Mar 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Can you solve 4 words at once?

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hobbit

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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More Words with Remarkable Origins

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How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

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