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 The Pride have allowed a goal in each of their past six games, and the defensive unit has taken a step backward from last season. —Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2025 Above all, your professional style should align with your goals, London says — both inside and outside the workplace. —Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 6 June 2025 The goal is to condense a process that can take up to two years down to a handful of months. —Stephen Clark – Jun 6, ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025 The goal being to have 30 teams all in a position, if well-managed, to be competing for championships. —Sam Amick, New York Times, 6 June 2025 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
  • 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
  • These rituals included a physical action, an emotional expression and a shared sense of purpose.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Definition of purpose
Noun
  • Part of the aim of the acquisition is to expand those offerings around the globe.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 2 June 2025
  • The initial aim of the technology is to help patients with severe paralysis restore some independence.
    — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 2 June 2025
Definition of aim
Noun
  • The Democratic governor said that a plan to regulate cannabis in the state is needed to protect children, who can often obtain intoxicating hemp products without restrictions.
    — A.J. Herrington, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • Some health insurance plans will cover naloxone, and some state and local health departments may give out this medication free of charge.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Definition of plan
Noun
  • Authenticity is a prime objective of the series, from the depiction of military operations and intelligence work to the emotional and psychological realities of service.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 29 May 2025
  • As Trump’s top second-term legislative priority remained in limbo, the courts once again were a thorn in his side on what to him may be his most important policy objective of all: his big, beautiful tariffs.
    — W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 29 May 2025
Definition of objective
Noun
  • Wealth doesn’t just happen; it is built with intention.
    — Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • The dress moves like a line thought out to the end, firmly, with intention, leaving no room for excess.
    — Alex Sales, Glamour, 31 May 2025
Definition of intention
Noun
  • As with everything Banksy, siting and context are chief among the avenues of investigation into the man’s intent and into his his hilariously ruthless nocturnal execution of his art.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • Smith was charged with violation of probation, possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell and interfering with police.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2025
Definition of intent
Noun
  • Our results challenge a growing idea that hydrogen will be the 'Swiss army knife of decarbonization' and suggest that the opportunities for hydrogen may be narrower than previously thought.
    — Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
  • Per usual, the old and new world methods clash over topics like whether to physically restrain Emma to a bed, and Theophilus is convinced that anything that looks like rational evidence against his ideas is just Satan manipulating everyone’s brain.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 4 June 2025
Definition of idea
Noun
  • Keep a distance from water, wet articles, and metal objects.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 31 May 2025
  • The team used advanced computational methods to identify the object’s distinctive trajectory pattern in the sky.
    — Nick Butler, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2025
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 10 Jun. 2025.

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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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