OBJECT Synonyms: 173 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

object 1 of 2

noun

ˈäb-jikt

Definition of object

as in item

something material that can be perceived by the senses I kept tripping over countless little objects scattered about the darkened room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in entity

one that has a real and independent existence trying to determine whether communication with the dead is an object for study, a hoax, or a figment of the imagination

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nonentity

as in purpose

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish the object of this course is to teach you algebra

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

object

2 of 2

verb

əb-ˈjekt

as in to protest

to present an opposing opinion or argument they objected to the conductor's insistence that their train tickets were not valid

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Two fireballs, seen over the Czech Republic in 2013 and Australia in 2016, were traced back to objects that had been in geocentric orbits. — Andrew Jones, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026 The objects of female desire—boy bands, teen idols, soap opera characters, suspiciously close hockey players—have always been subject to ridicule. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026

Verb

Republicans and Democrats have also objected to the deal and Trump’s wider effort to court Russian President Vladimir Putin, including waiving other sanctions on Russian energy that lawmakers overwhelmingly passed last month. — Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026 France is a highly centralized country, so what tends to happen in place of legislative incrementalism is people taking to the streets to be heard and to object. — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for object

Recent Examples of Synonyms for object

Noun

Part of that strategy is to connect with younger consumers, hence a recent partnership with 21-year-old livestreamer iShowSpeed along with innovating with menu items, branding, and store layout.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Its thrift store is stocked with clothes and items collected during student move-outs when many items get left behind, including Halloween costumes and accessories.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of item

Noun

Nevertheless, analysts caution that evaluating the deal requires assessing whether the combined entity can generate distinct operational synergies and unlock long term expansion potential.

— , CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Other creators have followed similar paths of using YouTube as a launching point to becoming a larger corporate entity.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of entity

Noun

Its purpose is to help eliminate malignant cells that may remain after surgery, reducing the chance of another tumor taking hold.

— Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
The decor nods to her career without losing sight of the hotel’s purpose as a place to unwind after a day exploring Music City.

— Tracey Teo, AJC.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of purpose

Verb

Chalking, per university rules that dictate when, where and how students can protest, is not allowed on walls and vertical surfaces.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Throughout that year, as Israelis poured into the streets to protest Netanyahu's far-right government and its plan to weaken the judiciary, Netanyahu's security chiefs warned that regional enemies could take advantage of the turmoil to attack.

— Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of protest

Noun

And of course there's the throttle, which makes the whole thing even easier up to a limited top speed of 17 mph (27 km/h).

— Loz Blain October 26, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026
From a career-high 155 yards from Javonte Williams to the defense making just enough stops to allow the offense to do its thing, the Cowboys gained a little bit of their swagger back in the City of Brotherly Love.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of thing

Noun

For Washington, the primary task is not only to mediate the substance of a deal but also to learn how to choreograph negotiations amid ongoing military action.

— Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026
Running Tide had struggled to grow kelp offshore at scale and shifted toward deployments of wood chips mixed with alkaline substances, said former general manager Kristinn Hróbjartsson.

— Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of substance

Noun

Only 11% said leaving something for the kids is their top financial goal.

— Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Securing public money for them raises issues over church-state separation but fulfills a longstanding goal for Christian conservatives, who lobbied for this funding.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of goal

Verb

That March, a seventy-year-old patient from a wealthy Cypriot family, Evie Lanitis, arrived at BioMed, complaining of a host of minor maladies, including bursitis in her toes, dental pain, and digestive issues.

— D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
In the days before the spill was announced, residents complained of fuel-like odors pervading areas of Dubai and north.

— Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of complain

Browse Nearby Words

obituary

object

objected

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Object.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/object. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of object

noun

verb

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Synonyms of object

noun

verb

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