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aim

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noun

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
Two new fund launches from Franklin Templeton aim to satisfy income-hungry investors who are looking for a new type of dividend fund. Jesse Pound, CNBC, 2 Feb. 2025 Government agency webpages about HIV, LGBTQ+ people and multiple other public health topics are down Friday evening due to President Donald Trump's executive orders aimed at gender ideology and diversity, equity and inclusion. Selina Wang, ABC News, 1 Feb. 2025
Noun
The new state park could be established with money drawn from the $1 billion Centennial Parks and Conservation Fund, which Texan voters approved in 2023 with the aim of acquiring and maintaining new state parks. Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025 Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer have pledged to unpick the country’s labyrinthine planning laws, and Reeves took direct aim at environmental requirements that have stalled large-scale construction efforts. Rob Picheta, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for aim 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aim
Verb
  • Season 3 will include new cast members Ty Doran, as a guy in Ginny’s poetry class who doesn’t like poetry, and Noah Lamanna as Tris, a very smart skateboarder who is a close friend of Marcus (Mallard) and Silver (Katelyn Wells).
    Emily Longeretta, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025
  • The most important thing to know is that actors solve a problem for casting.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Rubio, who is on his first overseas tour as secretary of State, is also seeking support from countries in the region to take some of the large numbers of migrants that the Trump administration intends to deport.
    Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025
  • The contract, signed in November, was intended to provide high-speed Internet to 15,000 eligible homes and businesses in rural, remote, and northern communities by June of this year.
    Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 3 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • My goal was to get into one of the city's best universities.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Although the goal originated from a Gabriel Martinelli cross, their tally for goals from crosses does not increase as Wolves’ Nelson Semedo headed the ball away before Calafiori’s finish.
    Art de Roché, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The order, which Trump signed on his first day in office, directs the secretary of the Interior to rename the body of water as the Gulf of America within 30 days.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Trump on Saturday had directed that 25% tariffs on most imports from the two American partners — and 10% on Canadian energy products — go into effect at midnight Tuesday.
    Fabiola Sánchez, Twin Cities, 3 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Simon planned the cabin, drawing the outline for the walls with a stick in the dirt.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Trump is planning major changes to how the department functions, including involving the military in immigration enforcement and reshaping the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
    Associated Pess, Hartford Courant, 25 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • While the crew endured the challenges of confinement for the sake of science, their work embodies a larger purpose: enabling future explorers to journey farther and stay longer.
    Anastasia Stepanova, Space.com, 2 Feb. 2025
  • However, TVLine may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
    Claire Franken, TVLine, 2 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In the kitchen, the chefs are seen pouring liquid nitrogen, tying dumplings and setting food aflame.
    Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Florida man Daniel Charles Ball was picked up on gun charges just a day after being set free from a Washington D.C. jail, according to Spectrum Bay News 9 in Tampa, and reportedly had previous brushes with the law.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In fact, Kaia hopes to join the dog show circuit next year.
    Chloe Malle, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Mahoney hopes to remove the stigma of behavioral euthanasia and help others feel less alone.
    Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near aim

Cite this Entry

“Aim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aim. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on aim

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