aim 1 of 2

verb

ˈām How to pronounce aim (audio)
Definition of aimnext
1
as in to cast
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal the new accounting system is aimed at reducing costs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to intend
to have in mind as a purpose or goal aimed to have his paper all done in time to go to the movies

Synonyms & Similar Words

aim

2 of 2

noun

as in goal
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish the main aim of a trip to the city is to shop for school clothes, but we always go to the artisans' market, too

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun aim contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of aim are design, end, goal, intention, intent, objective, object, and purpose. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

When is design a more appropriate choice than aim?

Although the words design and aim have much in common, design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

Where would end be a reasonable alternative to aim?

While the synonyms end and aim 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

When would goal be a good substitute for aim?

The words goal and aim can be used in similar contexts, but goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

In what contexts can intent take the place of aim?

The words intent and aim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

When might intention be a better fit than aim?

In some situations, the words intention and aim are roughly equivalent. However, intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

announced his intention to marry

How are the words object and end related as synonyms of aim?

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 can objective be used instead of aim?

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

their objective is to seize the oil fields

When could purpose be used to replace aim?

While in some cases nearly identical to aim, 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 aim
Verb
The report came as Democrats in Congress have demanded investigations of whether the president’s whipsawing moves on trade might have been aimed at manipulating the market and giving his allies a lucrative opportunity for insider trading. —Annie Karni, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 Those relatively basic tactics have hardly evolved since the group first appeared as a threat aimed at Ukraine in late 2013. —Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
The groups that sued say this registration process is expressly to facilitate President Donald Trump’s aim of carrying out mass deportations of people in the country illegally. —Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025 Unfortunately, that chill appears to be the administration’s aim. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aim
  1. cast
  2. intend
  3. goal
  4. direct
  5. plan
  6. purpose
  7. set
  8. hope
Verb
  • In Grand Junction, the new regime cast a fresh eye on the rare fish.
    — Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The eight-episode project also has been quietly casting, with relative newcomer Summer H. Howell (Hunter Hunter) in negotiations for the title character, Carrie White, and Siena Agudong (Resident Evil) set as her nemesis, Sue Snell.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of cast
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
  • 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
Verb
  • Following the sound, the officers were directed to a car wash on Van Brunt Boulevard, near I-70.
    — Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Executive branch heads were directed to report back regularly on its implementation.
    — Julia Mueller, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of direct
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 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
  • 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, Allure, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of purpose
Verb
  • Moira disappears after setting the lab on fire, leading to what soon becomes the show’s deadliest call yet.
    — Andy Swift, TVLine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In an interview with Fox Business on Wednesday, Dimon said rising interest rates, sticky inflation, and widening credit spreads are setting the stage for a wave of financial strain among U.S. companies.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of set
Verb
  • Now Versace will be part of the Prada family and hope to experience the same growth as its parent company, as last year, revenues at Prada Group jumped 15 percent, to more than $6 billion.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The Road to Palmyra After years of violence, Syrians hope to restore the ancient city in the desert.
    — The Dial, The Dial, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of hope

Browse Nearby Words

ails
aim
aimed
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Cite this Entry

“Aim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aim. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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