AIM Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

aim 1 of 2

verb

ˈām

Definition of aim next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of aim

Verb

So great has Notre Dame’s success been that other private Christian colleges have aimed to follow in its footsteps. —

Hunter M. Hampton / Made By History, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025 Indeed, evidence suggests shareholder primacy theory doesn’t even serve the shareholders, the very agents the system aims to prioritize, very well. —

Aissa Dearing, JSTOR Daily, 9 Jan. 2025

Noun

She's also written three children's books, with an aim of inspiring the next generation. —

Lizz Schumer, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025 Several startups are developing different technologies and reactor designs with the aim of adding fusion to the power grid in coming decades. —

Farhat Beg, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for aim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aim

Verb

Sunlight had begun to fade, casting a shadow on the space.

— Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
But for better or worse, his legacy rests not on forging grand peace treaties — those traditional diplomatic prizes eluded him — but on his role in two wars that often cast him in very different lights.

— Edward Wong, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025