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Some common synonyms of goal<\/em> are aim<\/em><\/a>, design<\/em><\/a>, end<\/em><\/a>, intention<\/em><\/a>, intent<\/em><\/a>, objective<\/em><\/a>, object<\/em><\/a>, and purpose<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"what one intends to accomplish or attain,\" goal<\/em> suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.<\/p>

\/\/ worked years to reach her goals<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'aim' be used to replace 'goal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of aim<\/em><\/a> and goal<\/em> largely overlap; however, aim<\/em> adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.<\/p>

\/\/ her aim<\/em> was to raise film to an art form<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'design' instead of 'goal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words design<\/em><\/a> and goal<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, design<\/em> implies a more carefully calculated plan.<\/p>

\/\/ the order of events came by accident, not design<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'end' be used instead of 'goal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms end<\/em><\/a> and goal<\/em> are close in meaning, end<\/em> stresses the intended effect of action often in distinction or contrast to the action or means as such.<\/p>

\/\/ willing to use any means to achieve his end<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'intent' take the place of 'goal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words intent<\/em><\/a> and goal<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but intent<\/em> suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.<\/p>

\/\/ the clear intent<\/em> of the statute<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'intention' be a better fit than 'goal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to goal<\/em>, intention<\/em><\/a> implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.<\/p>

\/\/ announced his intention<\/em> to marry<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do 'object' and 'end' relate to one another, in the sense of 'goal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Object<\/em><\/a> may equal end<\/em><\/a> but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.<\/p>

\/\/ his constant object<\/em> was the achievement of pleasure<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'objective' a more appropriate choice than 'goal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms objective<\/em><\/a> and goal<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but objective<\/em> implies something tangible and immediately attainable.<\/p>

\/\/ their objective<\/em> is to seize the oil fields<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'purpose' be a good substitute for 'goal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words purpose<\/em><\/a> and goal<\/em> have much in common, purpose<\/em> suggests a more settled determination.<\/p>

\/\/ being successful was her purpose<\/em> in life<\/p>" } } ] }

goal

noun

ˈgōl How to pronounce goal (audio)
Definition of goalnext
as in purpose
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish leaving the world a better place than I found it is one of my main goals

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun goal contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of goal are aim, design, end, intention, intent, objective, object, and purpose. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

When could aim be used to replace goal?

The meanings of aim and goal largely overlap; however, 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 goal?

The words design and goal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

When can end be used instead of goal?

While the synonyms end and goal 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

In what contexts can intent take the place of goal?

The words intent and goal can be used in similar contexts, but intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

When might intention be a better fit than goal?

While in some cases nearly identical to goal, intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

announced his intention to marry

How do object and end relate to one another, in the sense of goal?

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 is objective a more appropriate choice than goal?

The synonyms objective and goal are sometimes interchangeable, but objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

When would purpose be a good substitute for goal?

Although the words purpose and goal have much in common, 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 goal Methuen/Tewksbury goalie Lydia Barnes – who allowed the state’s fewest goals this year – capped off a stellar showing across the board by saving all three bids in the shootout, backing the shootout goal Reading’s Sam Toomey scored for the win. —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2026 Schmaltz pushed his career-high goals total to 26 and reached 63 points to match his career high set in 2024-25. —Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026 The Blackhawks have a -40 scoring differential, with 180 total goals scored and 220 given up. —ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026 Chupacabras kicker Ben Derby’s game-tying field goal attempt in the final minute hit one of Tingley’s decks and veered right of the goal posts, effectively sealing Orlando’s closer-than-expected win. —Sean Rider, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for goal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goal
  1. purpose
  2. aim
  3. plan
  4. objective
  5. intention
  6. intent
  7. idea
  8. object
Noun
  • The litigation is now complicating the rollout of a Bureau of Prisons policy revision, issued in February, that would end all complimentary in-prison access to hormonal drugs and cosmetic surgeries for gender-affirmation purposes.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The left has a tremendous advantage in terms of political energy and purpose.
    — Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of purpose
Noun
  • January 20 – February 18 Collaboration works best when the aims are clear.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The option of instead using bollards aims to allow for the downtown area to be utilized for community events and festivals without the use of village vehicles and instead use the bollards at Prospect Avenue and Ann Street and at Park Avenue.
    — Chuck Fieldman, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of aim
Noun
  • China's space agency has plans to land on the moon by 2030 near the south pole, where there are believed to be deposits of ice from comets.
    — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Fink reaffirmed the firm’s plans to raise another $400 billion by 2030.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of plan
Noun
  • Ehlers has stuck with the two Jordans since, bringing offense to a line with the primary objective of shutting down the opposition’s top players each night.
    — Cory Lavalette, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Obviously, the objective is to win the game.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of objective
Noun
  • The Athletic was the first to report Jones’ intention to enter the portal.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Despite his good intentions, Brandlin was caught in the act while working in the middle of the night to refurbish the crosswalks and install the street signs, leading to a night in the Hawthorne Jail.
    — Jasmine Viel, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of intention
Noun
  • But Gutierrez questioned both the feasibility and the intent behind the proposal.
    — Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Donis, who entered a not guilty plea to one count each of murder, armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a firearm, and carrying a firearm without a license, is being tried as an adult.
    — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of intent
Noun
  • This idea was unbearable, but watching her gasp for air was worse.
    — Amanda Peet, New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2026
  • What began as a risqué idea has grown into a cultural fixture in San Francisco, drawing skaters of all ages and backgrounds.
    — Loureen Ayyoub, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of idea
Noun
  • Therefore, this light-blocking object has to be closer than those stars are, located much less than 100,000 light-years away at the most.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 26 Mar. 2026
  • One of the biggest headaches any launch with a hatch deals with is known as FOD, or foreign-object debris, which could be as small as a piece of hair trapped in the seal where the hatch closes.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of object

Browse Nearby Words

go-aheads
goal
go along
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Goal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goal. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on goal

Nglish: Translation of goal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about goal

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