object 1 of 2

Definition of objectnext

object

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun object contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of object are aim, design, end, goal, intention, intent, objective, and purpose. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.

his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

Where would aim be a reasonable alternative to object?

While in some cases nearly identical to object, aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

When is it sensible to use design instead of object?

Although the words design and object have much in common, design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

When might end be a better fit than object?

The synonyms end and object are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 object?

The meanings of goal and object largely overlap; however, goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

When could intent be used to replace object?

While the synonyms intent and object are close in meaning, intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

In what contexts can intention take the place of object?

The words intention and object can be used in similar contexts, but intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

announced his intention to marry

When is objective a more appropriate choice than object?

In some situations, the words objective and object are roughly equivalent. However, objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

When would purpose be a good substitute for object?

The words purpose and object are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, purpose suggests a more settled determination.

being successful was her purpose in life

How does the noun object contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of object are aim, design, end, goal, intention, intent, objective, and purpose. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.

his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

Where would aim be a reasonable alternative to object?

While in some cases nearly identical to object, aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

When is it sensible to use design instead of object?

Although the words design and object have much in common, design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

When might end be a better fit than object?

The synonyms end and object are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 object?

The meanings of goal and object largely overlap; however, goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

When could intent be used to replace object?

While the synonyms intent and object are close in meaning, intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

In what contexts can intention take the place of object?

The words intention and object can be used in similar contexts, but intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

announced his intention to marry

When is objective a more appropriate choice than object?

In some situations, the words objective and object are roughly equivalent. However, objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

When would purpose be a good substitute for object?

The words purpose and object are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 object
Noun
Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2026 For him, writing it directly in the book helps anchor the memory to the physical object. Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
For their part, House Republicans didn’t want the governor to be able to hand-pick the inspector general and objected to the changes in Norris’s bill and accused DFLers of stalling on fraud. Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 26 Mar. 2026 In each instance, officials backed off after residents objected. Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for object
Recent Examples of Synonyms for object
Noun
  • Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Those items are related to policies that deal with board members’ duties and requirements, meeting rules, and employment practices related to at-will employment, and employee assignments and schedules.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • By giving multiple agencies access to the same drones, all participating entities can be under one program and avoid investing in dozens of drones with different software that wouldn't communicate with each other.
    Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • In many parts of Cook County, there are so many governmental entities grabbing a piece of the action that property tax bills look like grocery-store receipts.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The robotic characters break free from their restaurant resting place to cause chaos in town, while the villainous Marionette pops up to possess victims for her own nefarious purposes.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Trump has not only stolen top-secret government files, apparently for business purposes but used his office to harass and investigate his political targets.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In the winter of 2022, crowds around the globe protested after the death of a young woman, Mahsa Amini, taken into custody by Iran's morality police for how she was dressed.
    Laurie Perez, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • People protested the agency’s deployment, and the city’s cultural corridor near Central Avenue saw many businesses close their doors temporarily.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Here are five more things to know about the film festival.
    Adam Bell April 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026
  • If getting pampered isn’t your thing, the 18-hole Championship golf course is popular and has hosted PGA and LPGA events.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Lappen oversaw the county's Behavioral Health Services division, which works with people with mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders.
    Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The half-industrial, half-heavenly record was recorded on the brink of a real-life meltdown; the substances Lean had rapped about so brazenly during his adolescent mixtape era would nearly claim his life.
    Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Hosting the biggest weekend in college basketball would be ideal, Orr and Wood of Sacramento State said, a goal shared by Visit Sacramento.
    Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
  • In 73 career regular-season games with the Sirens and Ottawa Charge, Roese has accumulated 25 points (3 goals, 22 assists).
    Twin Cities, Twin Cities, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Afterward, a student in the audience complained to his parents that, at the event, the deaths of Palestinian civilians had been characterized as collateral damage—a regrettable but unavoidable consequence of the battle against Hamas.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The driver and passenger in the BMW complained of pain.
    Brandon Downs, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Object.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/object. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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