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. Trinidad James:

    I know that I'm desensitized to certain things and it's not on purpose. It's just because I'm imperfect as a human just like anyone else. But I feel like when you have that light bulb going off in your head, use your voice, use your platform for something that matters.

  2. Juan Antonio:

    Everybody should be concentrating on the well-being of Peng Shuai and not trying to use this for any other purpose, don't write it off the silent diplomacy, it's a very powerful tool and we plan to stick to that.

  3. Cory Booker:

    I just have this strong belief now as I meet rural, white Americans, as I meet rural black Americans, we have so much of the common pain but we're lacking the sense of common purpose.

  4. Mark Toner:

    As an expression of our deeply-held conviction that this bias must be addressed in order for the Council to realize its legitimate purpose, the United States decided not to attend the Council's Item Seven General Debate session.

  5. Ernest Villejoin:

    I know Wayne didn’t do this on purpose. He didn’t do this [to] offend anybody. I apologize that it offended, believe me.


Translations for purpose

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"purpose." Synonyms.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Mar. 2024. <https://www.synonyms.com/synonym/purpose>.

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