purposes 1 of 2

noun

plural of purpose
1
as in goals
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish the purpose of the research is to discover how the virus is transmitted

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in roles
the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists still trying to discover her purpose in life

Synonyms & Similar Words

purposes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of purpose
as in plans
to have in mind as a purpose or goal I've been purposing to fix that thing for some time now

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 purposes
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 The area, for all intents and purposes, has always functioned as the back of the museum. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 Selling possessions Pat and her husband, who asked that their last name not be used for privacy purposes, are both around 75. — Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026 No student information is to be disclosed for immigration enforcement purposes without a court order or subpoena, according to state law. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026 Other independents in the Senate, including Maine's Angus King on the moderate end and Vermont's Bernie Sanders on the left, caucus with Democrats for organizational purposes and committee assignments. — Nicholas Ingram, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026 George Cheeks will become, for all intents and purposes, the most powerful executive in linear TV. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026 Each petal serves both structural and aesthetic purposes, enclosing a vast central hall that can accommodate up to 2,500 worshippers. — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026 Subscription rights, usage charges, licensing and referral arrangements serve different purposes. — Rishi Katdare, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposes
  1. goals
  2. roles
  3. plans
  4. objectives
  5. tasks
  6. intends
  7. aims
  8. functions
Noun
  • The association reiterated its support for SB 707’s textile circularity goals while challenging CalRecycle’s choice of the organization tasked with implementing them.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • That took Chelsea to six goals inside the first seven minutes of games this season, something no Premier League side has previously managed across any six-game spell.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of goals
Noun
  • Five films are directed by filmmakers from outside the Baltic countries, with Baltic talent and expertise playing significant roles in their production.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
  • If several initiatives require people to learn new systems, adjust roles, rethink priorities and build new routines simultaneously, the combined cognitive burden may be much greater than leaders anticipate.
    — Shahrzad Jalali, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of roles
Verb
  • Whether Musk plans to build (or buy) another wireless network or pressure the incumbents to strike deals with SpaceX, the telecoms' oligopoly is looking shakier.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Paramount plans to upgrade the theater with state-of-the-art projection systems and in-seat food and drink service, Rick Caruso, whose company owns the Palisades Village shopping center where the Bay Theater is located, said in an interview.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of plans
Noun
  • Beijing, on the other hand, has pursued its space objectives consistently since the early 1990s, revising programs as technology evolves without losing sight of its end goal.
    — Kathleen Curlee, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The code establishes the objectives of the city safety program, including reducing injuries to city employees and members of the public through safety standards, training and accountability.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of objectives
Noun
  • The software platform can manage workflows between human resources and IT, even if the tasks involve an outside chatbot such as Claude.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Researchers trained it on tasks with known loopholes—ways to get rewarded without actually completing the task as intended— then gave it new challenges.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of tasks
Verb
  • Still, the department intends to send letters to current driver license or identification card holders potentially affected that will offer complimentary identity and credit monitoring services and $1 million identity theft insurance for 1 year.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The Japanese automaker intends to implement DWPT technology in the logistics and transportation industries in the first phase.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of intends
Noun
  • Compass is preparing to complete a rolling FDA submission this quarter for COMP360, its synthetic psilocybin treatment for treatment-resistant depression, with aims to launch early next year.
    — Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Putin is committed to his overall war aims, and no amount of external pressure is likely to force him to abandon those.
    — Eric Ciaramella, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of aims
Noun
  • And warming temperatures are hindering their ability to perform essential functions.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Know your supply chain, extend visibility to raw material, connect data across functions, automate compliance monitoring and build documentation readiness.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of functions

Browse Nearby Words

purposely
purposes
purposing
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Cite this Entry

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

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