What is another word for purpose?

Synonyms for purpose
ˈpɜr pəspur·pose

This thesaurus page includes all potential synonyms, words with the same meaning and similar terms for the word purpose.

English Synonyms and Antonyms4.8 / 4 votes

  1. purpose

    The aim is the direction in which one shoots, or sometimes that which is aimed at. The mark is that at which one shoots; the goal, that toward which one runs. All alike indicate the direction of endeavor. The end is the point at which one expects or hopes to close his labors; the object, that which he would grasp as the reward of his labors. Aspiration, design, endeavor, purpose, referring to the mental acts by which the aim is attained, are often used as interchangeable with aim. Aspiration applies to what are viewed as noble aims; endeavor, design, intention, purpose, indifferently to the best or worst. Aspiration has less of decision than the other terms; one may aspire to an object, and yet lack the fixedness of purpose by which alone it can be attained. Purpose is stronger than intention. Design especially denotes the adaptation of means to an end; endeavor refers to the exertions by which it is to be attained. One whose aims are worthy, whose aspirations are high, whose designs are wise, and whose purposes are steadfast, may hope to reach the goal of his ambition, and will surely win some object worthy of a life's endeavor. Compare AMBITION; DESIGN.

    Synonyms:
    aim, aspiration, design, determination, end, end, endeavor, endeavor, goal, inclination, intent, intention, mark, object, tendency

    Antonyms:
    aimlessness, avoidance, carelessness, heedlessness, neglect, negligence, oversight, purposelessness, thoughtlessness

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms3.3 / 4 votes

  1. purposeverb

    Synonyms:
    intend, determine, design, resolve, mean, propose

    Antonyms:
    chance, risk, hazard, revoke, miscalculate, venture, stake

  2. purposenoun

    Synonyms:
    intention, design, mind, meaning, view, object, aim, end, scope, point, resolve

    Antonyms:
    chance, fortune, fate, accident, hazard, lot, casualty, lottery, hit

Princeton's WordNet3.9 / 7 votes

  1. purpose, intent, intention, aim, designnoun

    an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

    "his intent was to provide a new translation"; "good intentions are not enough"; "it was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs"; "he made no secret of his designs"

    Synonyms:
    intention, objective, use, design, determination, aim, designing, figure, role, purport, function, excogitation, conception, pattern, spirit, blueprint, object, intent, invention, target, innovation, bearing, plan, heading

  2. function, purpose, role, usenoun

    what something is used for

    "the function of an auger is to bore holes"; "ballet is beautiful but what use is it?"

    Synonyms:
    utilisation, habit, usage, routine, role, social occasion, manipulation, theatrical role, use of goods and services, procedure, function, occasion, character, subroutine, part, determination, aim, usance, enjoyment, subprogram, employment, mapping, use, consumption, single-valued function, persona, intention, economic consumption, intent, social function, exercise, affair, office, mathematical function, map, utilization, design

  3. determination, purposeverb

    the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose

    "his determination showed in his every movement"; "he is a man of purpose"

    Synonyms:
    role, determination, conclusion, function, intention, use, aim, design, finding, intent, decision

  4. aim, purpose, purport, proposeverb

    propose or intend

    "I aim to arrive at noon"

    Synonyms:
    suggest, aim, shoot for, place, pop the question, draw a bead on, aspire, drive, advise, purport, declare oneself, take aim, project, propose, resolve, direct, train, get, take, target, calculate, nominate, point, offer

  5. purpose, resolveverb

    reach a decision

    "he resolved never to drink again"

    Synonyms:
    decide, propose, settle, break up, solve, aim, purport, dissolve, conclude, answer, adjudicate, resolve

Matched Categories

Editors Contribution0.0 / 0 votes

  1. mission

    many companies begin their existence with a "mission statement" it is their purpose for existence.

    "i think that you have gotten off the track of your initial mission and need to re-think your strategy."

    Submitted by JP03 on January 19, 2015  
  2. ikigai

    Submitted by anonymous on April 19, 2020  
  3. telos

    telos means the ultimate end or purpose of something.

    Submitted by JP03 on March 26, 2015  

Dictionary of English Synonymes0.0 / 0 votes

  1. purposenoun

    Synonyms:
    aim, intent, intention, design, object, end, drift, view, final cause

  2. purposeverb

    Synonyms:
    intend, design, mean, meditate, think of, have in mind, resolve upon, propose to one's self

  3. purposeverb

    Synonyms:
    intend, design, mean, have in mind

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated Words1.0 / 1 vote

  1. purposenoun

    Synonyms:
    aim, object, design, intent, goal, view, drift

  2. purposeverb

    Synonyms:
    intend, design, contemplate

Suggested Resources

  1. purpose

    Song lyrics by purpose -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by purpose on the Lyrics.com website.

How to pronounce purpose?

How to say purpose in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

rankingword
#61use
#77get
#79view
#120re
#173order
#197map
#207part
#241office
#245design
#246take
#259subject
#288project
#316place
#317end
#438point
#480plan
#617offer
#737drive
#783direct
#834mark
#853function
#958figure
#977effects
#1008mean
#1024employment
#1071effect
#1074mind
#1093role
#1128decision
#1150object
#1246reason
#1251answer
#1258purpose
#1336impact
#1476uses
#1584target
#1586character
#1619purposes
#1896goal
#1914determine
#2042exercise
#2176finding
#2181spirit
#2193intended
#2196goals
#2199suggest
#2230procedure
#2357pattern
#2505train
#2523destination
#2751aim
#2764meaning
#3016objectives
#3031usage
#3270scope
#3381objective
#3568decide
#3725mapping
#3852calculate
#3885consumption
#3936innovation
#4037conclusion
#4123determination
#4953solve
#5228aims
#5269routine
#5463occasion
#5534intent
#5917heading
#5920bearing
#5981resolve
#6425designing
#7096advise
#7155invention
#7295intention
#8609utilization
#8623settle
#8648conclude
#8654propose
#8834intend
#9020fin
#9420affair
#10222habit
#10401manipulation
#10789tendency
#11912enjoyment
#12211conception
#14897aspire
#16219endeavor
#16458blueprint
#17532nominate
#18966subroutine
#19833utilisation
#21944persona
#22476dissolve
#23687inclination
#24319aspiration
#45028purport
#54317finality
#66242adjudicate
#67601subprogram

How to use purpose in a sentence?

  1. Clare Levison:

    If it's not relatively easy, then it defeats the purpose.

  2. Obert Gutu:

    He has seen better days. I think it is now clear that he is no longer fit for purpose. In fact if Zimbabwe was a democracy, Parliament was supposed to go and invoke Section 96 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, he should actually be impeached. He is now clearly unable to discharge his duties as head of state.

  3. Randolph:

    Safe in thy breast close lock up thy intents, For he that knows thy purpose best prevents.

  4. Christen Kuikoua:

    United in purpose, fueled by innovation, the synergy of creativity and limitless possibilities becomes a beacon, guiding us towards a realm of extraordinary experiences.”

  5. Richard Branson:

    Our beautiful new spaceship, VSS Unity, is the embodiment of that goal and also a great testament to what can be achieved when true teamwork, great skill and deep pride are combined with a common purpose.


Translations for purpose

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"purpose." Synonyms.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.synonyms.com/synonym/purpose>.

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