aim 1 of 2

verb

ˈām How to pronounce aim (audio)
Definition of aimnext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

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 aim
Verb
Beyond youth programs, the center will also aim to provide daytime classes for seniors, veterans and other community members, fostering a lifelong engagement with the arts. —Sierra Knoch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2025 The prestigious pilot initiative, developed by South Africa’s Big World Cinema in collaboration with the Bertha Foundation, aims to tackle persistent industry barriers faced by mid-career African film and television producers. —Jamie Lang, Variety, 21 May 2025
Noun
The aim is to make people more conscious of their consumption habits. —Kian Bakhtiari, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025 The aim is for United’s next open-top bus to be accompanied by major silverware. —Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for aim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aim
  1. cast
  2. intend
  3. goal
  4. direct
  5. plan
  6. purpose
  7. set
  8. hope
Verb
  • Pretty much everyone today who is prominent in casting was an aspiring director or actor and fell into the profession.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 May 2025
  • For the first time in history, voters in Mexico will cast their ballots for justices, judges and magistrates in an election set to overhaul the nation’s judiciary.
    — Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
Definition of cast
Verb
  • The move was intended to boost subscriptions to then-fledgling HBO Max.
    — Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025
  • Going forward, the owners intend to integrate Vinyl Me, Please with its VinylBox and VNYL brands as a sister operation specializing in premium audio.
    — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 4 June 2025
Definition of intend
Noun
  • But Bennett’s goal would not keep the Panthers ahead for long.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 7 June 2025
  • There is not any goal that can justify continuing the military operation at the risk of losing the hostages, at the risk of losing the lives of Israeli soldiers, and the risk of losing the lives of many of the non-involved people in Gaza.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 6 June 2025
Definition of goal
Verb
  • Trump fired Krebs, who directed the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, in November 2020 after Krebs disputed the Republican president’s unsubstantiated claims of voting fraud and vouched for the integrity of the 2020 election, which Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden.
    — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
  • After Tuesday’s shooting, the organization directed questions about shootings near the aid site to the IDF.
    — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
Definition of direct
Verb
  • Holmes, a retiree in her early 70s, was grieving the death of her son at the time, so her daughter planned a trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to help her through the difficult period, per the filing.
    — Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 6 June 2025
  • One group — which registered itself as the Maryland Environment, Labor and Industry Coalition — planned to challenge the Next Generation Energy Act, and focus its campaign on trash incinerators, which will no longer receive a renewable energy subsidy under the law.
    — Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 6 June 2025
Definition of plan
Noun
  • These rituals included a physical action, an emotional expression and a shared sense of purpose.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • This was still wild country, and Fuller set off with the express purpose of producing a book about her journey.
    — James Marcus, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
Definition of purpose
Verb
  • Yet, both stars have flourished as professionals, with Reese setting rebounding records as a rookie, while Clark has become one of the most versatile players in the entirety of the league.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 28 May 2025
  • In the Florida case, an evidentiary hearing on Presley’s motion to dismiss for alleged lack of jurisdiction is set for July 21.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
Definition of set
Verb
  • Reese and the Sky entered the season hoping to take a big step in the right direction.
    — Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
  • Here’s hoping the third season lives up to all the hype, as the latest trailer (shown below) is rather great. Follow me on X, Facebook and YouTube.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Definition of hope

Browse Nearby Words

ails
aim
aimed
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Cite this Entry

“Aim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aim. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of aim for Spanish Speakers

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