INTENTION Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'intention' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of intention are aim , design , end , goal , intent , objective , object , and purpose . While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about. // announced his intention to marry

Q: When is 'aim' a more appropriate choice than 'intention'?

The synonyms aim and intention are sometimes interchangeable, but aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing. // her aim was to raise film to an art form

Q: When can 'design' be used instead of 'intention'?

The words design and intention are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 'intention'?

Although the words end and intention have much in common, 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 'intention'?

In some situations, the words goal and intention are roughly equivalent. However, goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship. // worked years to reach her goals

Q: When is it sensible to use 'intent' instead of 'intention'?

While in some cases nearly identical to intention , intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness. // the clear intent of the statute

Q: How are the words 'object' and 'end' related as synonyms of 'intention'?

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: In what contexts can 'objective' take the place of 'intention'?

The words objective and intention can be used in similar contexts, but objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable. // their objective is to seize the oil fields

Q: When might 'purpose' be a better fit than 'intention'?

While the synonyms purpose and intention are close in meaning, purpose suggests a more settled determination. // being successful was her purpose in life

intention

noun

in-ˈten(t)-shən

Definition of intention next

as in purpose

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish her intention is to climb the highest peak in each of the 50 states

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in intent

the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action she was uncertain of the intention of his frantic gesturing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun intention contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of intention are aim, design, end, goal, intent, objective, object, and purpose. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

announced his intention to marry

When is aim a more appropriate choice than intention?

The synonyms aim and intention are sometimes interchangeable, but aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

When can design be used instead of intention?

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

the order of events came by accident, not design

Where would end be a reasonable alternative to intention?

Although the words end and intention have much in common, 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 intention?

In some situations, the words goal and intention are roughly equivalent. However, goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

When is it sensible to use intent instead of intention?

While in some cases nearly identical to intention, intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

How are the words object and end related as synonyms of intention?

Object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.

his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

In what contexts can objective take the place of intention?

The words objective and intention can be used in similar contexts, but objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

When might purpose be a better fit than intention?

While the synonyms purpose and intention are close in meaning, 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 intention Gallagher has consistently maintained that her uncle, who was suffering from terminal cancer, died by suicide and had told others of his intentions beforehand. —

Joan Murray, CBS News, 29 June 2026 Filson Premier American fashion label Filson was established in 1897, with the intention of outfitting Gold Rush prospectors. —

Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 29 June 2026 Discipline is what converts intention into output — and what keeps a team from drifting when the early momentum fades. —

Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 During the similar first six months of 2025, tech companies revealed their intentions to jettison roughly 4,700 positions in the Bay Area. —

George Avalos, Mercury News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for intention

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intention

Noun

There were other reminders as well, some less subtle than others, of the true purpose of Congress.

— Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 July 2026
However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

— Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 2 July 2026

Definition of purpose

Noun

By 2014, the Army Corps of Engineers declared its intent to remove the mural with no immediate plans for restoration.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Examples include Fashion Valley’s plans to replace the JCPenney store with 850 luxury apartments and the intent by The Valley, formerly known as Westfield Mission Valley East, to add multifamily residential units.

— Hang Nguyen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026

Definition of intent

Noun

Balogun matched Landon Donovan in 2010 for the second-most goals by an American in a World Cup, behind only Bert Patenaude's four in the initial tournament in 1930.

— CBS News, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Controversial red card looms large The story of the game to that point was Folarin Balogun, who scored a goal in the 45th minute and then was given a controversial red card in the second half.

— Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of goal

Noun

Against that backdrop, some say the ships are offering a surprising sense of connection.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Since relocating to Los Angeles, Gonzalez’s small downtown team has scaled Happy Organics into a design-forward brand carried by major retailers, anchored in local maker communities and a sense of purpose.

— Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of sense

Noun

Corlys, one of few characters on the show who has survived long enough to ask for a favor in return for his service, shares his plan with Rhaenyra, asking her earnestly for public support from the crown.

— Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 6 July 2026
The government claimed the feature could increase cybercrime incidents and has directed the platform to pause its plans.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 6 July 2026

Definition of plan

Noun

The younger Russert traded his role as an NBC News congressional correspondent in July 2016 for a decadelong quest to find deeper meaning in faraway destinations.

— Jay Stahl, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Jupiter enters your 9th House of Travel and Learning, expanding horizons and refreshing your sense of meaning.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026

Definition of meaning

Noun

Iraq wants permission to produce a record 5 million barrels a day coming out of the war, with a long-term aim of getting production up to 7 million barrels a day, Bloomberg reported.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
The state’s Holocaust Education Bill, passed in 1994, requires every school district to teach the Holocaust with the explicit aim of building tolerance, nurturing democratic values, and confronting what indifference produces.

— Masha Pearl, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026

Definition of aim

Noun

The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.

— KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026

Definition of content

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intent

intention

intentional

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“Intention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intention. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of intention

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