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

In fact, Moss’s lonely woman may be one of the reasons someone would want to steal Edge Control in the first place—to look like a commodified object. — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Because the more that men objectify women in the media, the more that other men see them as objects and treat them as objects. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026

Verb

Democratic Senate candidates Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Jon Ossoff of Georgia and Roy Cooper from North Carolina objected to the FCC rule change in April and asked for a review. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 McKenna went to Texas and began fighting for custody to keep the baby while the parents objected. — Ariana Aspuru, Vox, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for object

Recent Examples of Synonyms for object

Noun

Look for unfamiliar applications in your Applications folder and review System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions for unexpected items.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Veteran chef Sam Koo builds the changing selection around fresh fish and meticulously handled rice, with rolls starting at $5, chirashi boxes from $23 and bento items priced $4 to $11.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of item

Noun

To support its ambitions, Le Large operates on a hybrid model, combining a nonprofit association that has an endowment fund and a commercial entity responsible for venue rentals and private events.

— Sarah Belmont for ArtNews, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2026
Throughout the war in Iran, Chinese entities have also supplied Tehran with satellite imagery, including images of a base in Jordan that Iran struck in July, resulting in the deaths of three American service members.

— Kathleen Curlee, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of entity

Noun

On a blistering surprise EP, Deafheaven find the vicious attack and grandiose drama of symphonic black metal perfectly suited to their purposes.

— Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
Aside from being part of the salon decor, the sculpture’s purpose, Ingram explained, is to introduce Vero’s service to his clientele.

— Ari Stark, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of purpose

Verb

Student groups protesting since mid-September through school blockades have urged supporters to join them.

— SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
In ⁠France, high-school students have been protesting for weeks to demand more teachers and better facilities, a campaign that looks to be spreading to other population groups.

— Reuters, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of protest

Noun

The property is debuting as a member of Leading Hotels of the World, ushering in a new era of luxury for the area, and proving that, yes, chic and fabulous things can happen on either side of the Intracoastal.

— Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
Flashing back to that traumatic experience, Rainbeau goes through every single thing Rosa needs to do before clocking off.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of thing

Noun

Pappas has also supported strict limits on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which are synthetic chemicals that can be found in an array of consumer products, including clothing, shampoo, electronics, and cleaning products.

— Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Discovery of the substance immediately made Tak Sumaya, an assistant professor who helped identify it in the coffee maker water, suspicious.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of substance

Noun

The Biden administration built it back and set a goal of admitting 125,000 refugees during the final year of his term.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
The company currently takes about a day to build a robot, with the goal of reducing the process to approximately one hour next year.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of goal

Verb

Some users have complained on social media that the agent accessed personal messages without authorization, which the company has disputed.

— Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
In a 2023 memorandum obtained by Fox News Digital, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, who was then serving as the city council president, said residents complained about rodent infestations during a community meeting.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of complain

Browse Nearby Words

obituary

object

objected

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Object.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/object. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of object

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

8 Grammar Terms You Used to Know, But...

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on object

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of object

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to object

8 Grammar Terms You Used to Know, But...

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on object

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes