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
This is one of the main purpose of Alexandre’s work. —Photovogue, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2025 At that point, sunglasses lose their sine qua non purpose to protect our eyes, becoming a purely ornamental element capable of elevating an entire outfit. —Teresa Romero Martínez, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2025 The automation of jobs by AI could lead to widespread unemployment and economic inequality, leaving many people feeling powerless and without purpose. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025 Before accepting any source of information delivered by Claude (or any AI assistant) for any meaningful purpose, vet it very carefully using multiple independent non-AI sources. —Ars Technica, 21 Mar. 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
  • Providence 2, Kankakee 0 Providence (7-0): Lydia Arrigoni goal.
    — Josh Krockey, Chicago Tribune, 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
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
  • The same bewilderment struck me again today, the morning after the finale premiered, when so many fellow critics took White’s ending to task, if not everything that preceded it.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of task
Verb
  • The original start date was planned earlier, and the season would have been much easier to work in.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
  • To add insult to injury, the NCAA does not plan on paying the full amount in cash.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of plan
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
  • Amyloid plaques play a key role in the development of Alzheimer’s when small clusters gather at synapses in the brain and interfere with the nerve cells’ ability to communicate.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Regulatory clarity will also play a significant role in shaping the future of Web3 gaming.
    — Faizy Ahmed, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of role
Verb
  • And, President Trump intends to scale back monies for state and local governments while pushing more costs on states and cities.
    — Eric J. Gertler, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2025
  • While the Senate spending cuts are set at just around $4 billion, the House intends to cut at least $1.5 trillion.
    — Claudia Grisales, NPR, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of intend
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
  • Known for his throwback style, Jones Jr. was an unapologetic supporter of political nepotism and made no bones about helping friends and family get state jobs.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Focused on Alzheimer’s and other dementia research, the worker is among thousands who abruptly lost their jobs in the Trump administration’s federal workforce purge.
    — Primary care physicians, Hartford Courant, 6 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 16 Apr. 2025.

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