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
Everything goes back to my purpose in life. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025 Brightly colored wreaths are popular during this time of year, but there's another style that serves the same purpose just as well. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025 The purpose of the video, Goldstein explained, was to tell a story about the building and help convey an ethos and message to clients. —Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025 And even as China emphasizes that its military is for defensive purposes, its show of strength on Wednesday has given analysts around the world a clear look at the extent of its offensive capabilities and its vast capacity to produce arms. —Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 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 primary goal of these UBI pilots is to help individuals and families through a transition period.
    — Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Success comes from choosing intentionally based on individual goals, financial circumstances, and career objectives rather than following outdated assumptions about what career preparation requires.
    — Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of goal
Noun
  • Soldiers have also been spotted in parks carrying out tasks typically assigned to gardeners and landscapers – shoveling mulch, blowing leaves and scooping up trash.
    — Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The games, which task Mario with defying gravity in an effort to save Princess Peach from Bowser, have been lauded by gamers as some of the best titles in the sprawling Super Mario canon.
    — Randall Colburn, EW.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of task
Verb
  • Data from Cirium, an aviation data analytics company, shows that all airlines are planning to fly fewer seats to Tulum in the months ahead.
    — Zach Wichter, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Friedland’s Ivanhoe Atlantic, formerly High Power Exploration, plans to invest $5 billion in infrastructure projects in Africa's Liberty Corridor, connecting Guinea to Liberia.
    — Yessar Rosendar, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of plan
Noun
  • He was inspired to start the James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness following his surgeries and the nonprofit's aim was to educate the public about organ and tissue donation.
    — Stephanie Kaloi, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The aim is to have a variety that includes females with and without cubs, large boars, subadults, and cubs.
    — Emese Maczko, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of aim
Noun
  • All Americans deserve clarity and accountability regarding the full extent of DOGE's role and influence at the Department of Education.
    — Arthur Jones II, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The first guest of the night was Jude Law, who was asked about how his roles have predicted the future in the past.
    — Emily Longeretta, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of role
Verb
  • The company on Wednesday also debuted the Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses, intended for athletes who participate in high-intensity sports like snowboarding and mountain biking.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The flypast was intended to showcase the strength of UK-US defense ties with a coordinated aerial display.
    — Amanda Castro Hannah Parry Shane Croucher Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of intend
Noun
  • Four intentions, four questions, five minutes doing nothing.
    — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • When the cooperation agreement expired, however, Biglari immediately returned to his old ways, announcing his intention to nominate five candidates to Cracker Barrel’s board.
    — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of intention
Noun
  • Many have been fired from their jobs, disciplined, or publicly shamed for criticizing the conservative commentator.
    — Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Google began dropping degree requirements for a wide range of jobs in 2024, shifting focus to proof of skills and real-world projects.
    — Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 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 20 Sep. 2025.

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