goal

noun

ˈgōl How to pronounce goal (audio)
Definition of goalnext
as in purpose
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish leaving the world a better place than I found it is one of my main goals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun goal contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of goal are aim, design, end, intention, intent, objective, object, and purpose. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

When could aim be used to replace goal?

The meanings of aim and goal 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 is it sensible to use design instead of goal?

The words design and goal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

When can end be used instead of goal?

While the synonyms end and goal 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

In what contexts can intent take the place of goal?

The words intent and goal can be used in similar contexts, but intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

When might intention be a better fit than goal?

While in some cases nearly identical to goal, 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 goal?

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 is objective a more appropriate choice than goal?

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

their objective is to seize the oil fields

When would purpose be a good substitute for goal?

Although the words purpose and goal have much in common, 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 goal 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 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 Providence 2, Kankakee 0 Providence (7-0): Lydia Arrigoni goal. —Josh Krockey, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025 Luis Díaz is a big-time player for Colombia, who has scored nine goals in 22 starts for Liverpool this season. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for goal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goal
  1. purpose
  2. aim
  3. plan
  4. objective
  5. intention
  6. intent
  7. idea
  8. object
Noun
  • 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
Definition of purpose
Noun
  • The aim to maximally make paperclips would be referred to as an end goal or terminal goal.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Administration officials want to dictate what questions to ask and which evidence is acceptable to fit their worldviews and further their aims.
    — Andrew V. Papachristos, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of aim
Noun
  • However, this safe harbor provision would only be available if there were concrete plans to replace safety-critical and health-critical SIRS assets with remaining lives of less than three years, which would include roofs, plumbing, fire alarms and other safety equipment.
    — Bruce Strom, Sun Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The Education Department recently reopened those IDR plan applications, following a period during which the plans were unavailable.
    — Annie Nova, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of plan
Noun
  • In addition to briefly shouting out the forthcoming new show starring and executive produced by Shields, the main objective seemed to be to drive home the fact that Acorn is in the portfolio.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • A lot of that is a credit to the simplicity of the mission statement really, because the aim and the objective of the film was to accurately and truthfully depict something that occurred.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of objective
Noun
  • While one reading of Xi is that his rhetoric is in part a strategic move to burnish Chinese power globally, labeling Taiwan as a renegade or breakaway province is, for many, a clear indication of an intention to invade and bring the island within the geography of Chinese sovereignty.
    — Colin Flint, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2025
  • From spotlighting local bakers to providing a multi-sensory experience in a design-rich space, everything at Bar One is curated with intention.
    — Bar One Lounge , Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of intention
Noun
  • Fragments will spread out, and the intent is to destroy as much of the heart as possible.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • While the intent might be to keep the peace, the result is often emotional pressure — where neither person feels fully safe to be their whole, honest self.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of intent
Noun
  • Jon Conahan of Athlon Sports recently pitched a blockbuster trade idea that would send Walker to the New York Mets this season.
    — Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Dolly Parton’s cookbook, Good Lookin’ Cookin’, is filled with a year's worth of classic recipes and menu ideas.
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of idea
Noun
  • What unites these objects, which range from the humble to the humorous, and the extremely high-end?
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
  • From the candelabras to the pieces of furniture, Visconti’s collections are distinguished by cast-bronze and by furniture and objects that take their inspiration from organic forms and are sometimes even sculpted with pieces the designer herself collects in nature.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of object

Browse Nearby Words

go-aheads
goal
go along
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Goal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goal. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on goal

Nglish: Translation of goal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about goal

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

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
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
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All