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
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, 14 Apr. 2025 That’s why various organizations around the world use different altitudes to mark that invisible threshold for recordkeeping purposes. —Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025 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 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
  • What has been interesting is that it’s helped break kitchen tasks down into more manageable tasks.
    — Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Here are key events in Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols' twisted plot leading up to the terrorist attack and significant moments after the tragedy, including the journey to justice and in the task of remembering what happened with a world-class memorial.
    — Todd Pendleton, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of task
Verb
  • The new vehicle is also planned for eventual production in China and Europe, Reuters has previously reported.
    — Abhirup Roy, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Local clubs planned their yearly budgets around when their members could work the concession stands.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of plan
Noun
  • Phishing is a type of attack where an adversary sends a link or attachment over email or SMS, with the aim of tempting you to open it and download malware or give out your sign ins.
    — Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Hughes had been negotiating with Salah and his representative, Ramy Abbas Issa, for several months with the long-term aim of keeping the top goalscorer at the club.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 11 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
  • Canha is expected to hold a key role in the lineup.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of role
Verb
  • How did the water tower come down? Crews had intended for the water tower, built in 1913 at 524 S. Osage St., to fall into an open plot of grass to the north, but the first attempt failed.
    — Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The resolution states that the city intends to enter into an agreement that complies with Florida law while remaining within the limits of the city’s budget.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of intend
Noun
  • Your tone carries memory, intention and relationship.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Diminishing political and social returns — ideas that start from good intentions only to end in frustration and disillusion — seem to plague most attempts at addressing America’s structural problems, which remain and persist.
    — Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 13 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 25 Apr. 2025.

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