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
Hotness, for all intents and purposes at this party, is seen as a conduit—one that elevates everyone, men and women alike. —Sam Reed, Glamour, 25 Apr. 2025 The goods have been exploited by Hamas for the reconstruction of its terror infrastructure – Hamas is now running a billion-dollar aid industry that is being used for terrorist purposes. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025 The name’s ironic on purpose—the app allows users to create, send, and receive anonymous voice messages in a celebrity’s tone. —Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025 This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. —Dr. Ronald Premuroso, The Conversation, 14 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
  • With 16 goals and five assists in 32 games, Bryan Mbeumo might already be in your ‘joy to watch’ list.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The seventh-place Lions are only below Chelsea on goal differential and have just a one-point deficit with Manchester City for the final Champions League spot.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of goal
Noun
  • RuPaul was faced with one of the toughest tasks in Drag Race her-story across Friday night's grand finale, with four of Mama Ru's season 17 finalists representing one of the strongest collective casts the show has seen since its 2009 debut.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Maggie Friar then faced the unimaginable task of sharing the news of Aaron's death with their two younger daughters.
    — Natalie Morales, Richard Fetzer, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of task
Verb
  • Local clubs planned their yearly budgets around when their members could work the concession stands.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The new vehicle is also planned for eventual production in China and Europe, Reuters has previously reported.
    — Abhirup Roy, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of plan
Noun
  • The aim is to transform the system from one in which every medical service has a price tag to one that treats people holistically, and in which adherence to medical standards brings more money to doctors and their office staff.
    — Bernard J. Wolfson and Vanessa G. Sánchez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • This aim is core to Cargill’s purpose to nourish the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way.
    — Pilar Cruz, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of aim
Noun
  • Coach Scott Arniel likes to refer to him as a Swiss Army knife for his ability to play any role that the coaches ask of him.
    — Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Rubio said the Europeans had a central role to play in any peace pact, especially as their Russia sanctions over which Washington has no control would likely need to be lifted to secure an accord.
    — Bart H. Meijer and Gabriel Stargardter, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of role
Verb
  • What To Know Zelensky Issues World War 3 Warning to Donald Trump A senior British government source also told The Times newspaper of London in March that the West intends to deploy more than 10,000 troops in Ukraine to monitor a possible ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Definition of intend
Noun
  • Rogen plays Continental Studios boss Matt Remmick, who manages to always make every situation worse despite his good intentions.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Landry has made clear his intention to carry out these death sentences as soon as possible, having recently approved the use of nitrogen gas, a controversial method allowed in only three other states.
    — Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 25 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 1 May. 2025.

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