objective 1 of 2

noun

Definition of objectivenext
as in purpose
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish the summer camp's stated objective is to produce tournament-level tennis players

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

objective

2 of 2

adjective

əb-ˈjek-tiv How to pronounce objective (audio)
1
as in empirical
based on observation or experience an objective assessment based solely upon the results of the experiment

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in impartial
marked by justice, honesty, and freedom from bias the judge removed herself from the case because she doubted her ability to remain objective, given her friendship with one of the attorneys

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3
as in historical
restricted to or based on fact the paper's news stories strive to be scrupulously objective, with opinions clearly labeled as commentary

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun objective contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of objective are aim, design, end, goal, intention, intent, object, and purpose. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

When is aim a more appropriate choice than objective?

While in some cases nearly identical to objective, 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 objective?

The meanings of design and objective largely overlap; however, design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

In what contexts can end take the place of objective?

The words end and objective are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 is it sensible to use goal instead of objective?

Although the words goal and objective have much in common, goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

When would intent be a good substitute for objective?

The synonyms intent and objective are sometimes interchangeable, but intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

When might intention be a better fit than objective?

The words intention and objective 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

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

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 purpose be a reasonable alternative to objective?

While the synonyms purpose and objective 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 objective
Noun
Data breaches vary in their impact and objectives, often compromising sensitive information, including names, addresses, and contact details, among other identifiers. —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025 In pursuit of their own objectives, Getzinger realized many directors were treating actors as devices rather than human beings. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 27 May 2025
Adjective
The city also gets to apply its own objective design standards over factors such as size, height, windows and setbacks. —Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2025 By all objective accounts, Madigan has done an excellent job throughout her first term. —Emmet C. Davitt, Baltimore Sun, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for objective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for objective
  1. purpose
  2. empirical
  3. impartial
  4. historical
  5. goal
  6. equitable
  7. factual
  8. aim
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
Adjective
  • The empirical evidence, however, suggests otherwise.
    — Dave Wessner, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • And despite claims that providing unemployment insurance will encourage striking workers to stay out longer, both common sense and empirical evidence suggest otherwise.
    — Ed Hawthorne, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2025
Definition of empirical
Adjective
  • India blamed Pakistan for backing the attackers, while Islamabad denied involvement and called for an impartial international investigation.
    — Zia ur-Rehman, New York Times, 21 May 2025
  • They were asked to fill out questionnaires gauging their familiarity with the case and ability to be fair and impartial.
    — Mark Prussin, CBS News, 12 May 2025
Definition of impartial
Adjective
  • Further, as shown in the historical data, periods of a weaker US dollar do not uniformly lead to higher US Treasury bond yields.
    — Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • Most of it is invented, but the beginning was inspired by historical incidents.
    — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
Definition of historical
Noun
  • Those goals were just the fourth and fifth in 14 games this spring.
    — Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 26 May 2025
  • The goal is to haul Ford vehicles from the Kentucky Truck Plant to dealerships anywhere in the nation.
    — Jamie L. LaReau, USA Today, 26 May 2025
Definition of goal
Adjective
  • The result is a more agile, inclusive and resilient workforce where employees have equitable access to growth.
    — Abakar Saidov, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • These days — at least on Friday nights — the space offers musicians an equitable spotlight.
    — Erick Galindo, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Definition of equitable
Adjective
  • Puig agreed to waive any legal protections for suppression or exclusion of new information in the factual basis.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 May 2025
  • Remember when Google demoed its Bard AI tool in 2023 and its factual error led to its parent company losing US$100 billion in market value?
    — Greg Edwards, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
Definition of factual
Noun
  • The initial aim of the technology is to help patients with severe paralysis restore some independence.
    — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 2 June 2025
  • Many believe the aim of his blatant attack on democracy is to escape his bribery, fraud, and breach of trust court case.
    — Ehud Barak, Time, 2 June 2025
Definition of aim

Browse Nearby Words

objections
objective
objectiveness
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Cite this Entry

“Objective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/objective. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.

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