purpose 1 of 2

noun

ˈpər-pəs How to pronounce purpose (audio)
Definition of purposenext
1
as in goal
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish the purpose of the research is to discover how the virus is transmitted

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Each edge of this triangle-esque tool serves a unique purpose: a smooth, long side for sweeping over wider areas like calves, arms, and thighs; a precision tip for targeted acupressure; and a ridged edge for digging into tense tissue. —Allure, 14 Apr. 2025 That’s why various organizations around the world use different altitudes to mark that invisible threshold for recordkeeping purposes. —Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025 More than this perhaps, as Sara Halpern, visiting assistant professor of history at St. Olaf college, wrote to me, the attack had a broader purpose. —Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025 The purpose of the show was to reach across the aisle and form connections between un-like-minded people. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for purpose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purpose
  1. goal
  2. task
  3. plan
  4. aim
  5. role
  6. intend
  7. intention
  8. job
Noun
  • The goal was to have that running by March.
    — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Hartford Courant Charlie Cerato assisted on the winning goal, after the Huskies had missed on a flurry of opportunities throughout the OT.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of goal
Noun
  • Express is a very polished and well-featured product that lets users jump straight into just about any digital design task, but it’s particularly suited to small businesses or independent content creators.
    — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Susan Blatchford, who juggles two fundamental tasks in and for Park Forest.
    — Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of task
Verb
  • The park plans to open restaurants, trams and excursions earlier to accommodate visitors.
    — Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
  • His office also checks for defunct street lights weekly and reports them to the city and San Diego Gas & Electric for replacement, and plans to plant dozens of trees around transit corridors in his district after securing grant funding.
    — Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of plan
Noun
  • He’s founded a Miami shoe recycling and reuse company, Sneaker Impact, with the aim of reducing the environmental and climate footprint of the massive athletic shoe industry.
    — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Hughes had been negotiating with Salah and his representative, Ramy Abbas Issa, for several months with the long-term aim of keeping the top goalscorer at the club.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of aim
Noun
  • Indie producer Pressman Film has expanded the role of chief operating officer Paula Paizes to include oversight of all production.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Following his 2023 divorce from Crystal Renay, Ne-Yo has publicly embraced a new chapter, one in which monogamy no longer plays a role.
    — Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of role
Verb
  • The spaces from which Trump seeks to exclude the AP are not a press facility like the Brady Press Briefing Room and are intended for the president’s personal use, McArthur argued.
    — Ella Lee, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The administration claims the cuts are intended to reduce redundancy and inefficiency.
    — Catherine Blackwood, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of intend
Noun
  • Your tone carries memory, intention and relationship.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Diminishing political and social returns — ideas that start from good intentions only to end in frustration and disillusion — seem to plague most attempts at addressing America’s structural problems, which remain and persist.
    — Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of intention
Noun
  • Sure enough, in early 2024, PJ took a job as an avionics technician at Tinker.
    — Jenni Carlson, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The premise alone is perfectly thrilling: Four men take a job driving explosive nitroglycerin over a mountain pass.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of job

Phrases Containing purpose

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purports
purpose
purposed
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Cite this Entry

“Purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purpose. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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