[go: up one dir, main page]

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

Relevance

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
Eisenhower contributed to the culture of fear with his own investigative program aimed at federal workers. —Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025 The killers included white policemen, sheriffs, businessmen, even a legislator—all part of the Jim Crow system aimed at disenfranchising Black voters. —Essence, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
His aim is to trade parts of the Kursk area for Ukrainian land that Russia has occupied. —Simon Shuster/kyiv, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025 Carolyn realized too late that, as a Traitor, her aim was not to get the superlatives correct but, rather, to be as inobtrusive as possible. —Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 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
  • The answer is surely not a failure of casting ambition.
    — Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Paul Reiser returned to play his role, but James Spader stepped in to fill Kevin Bacon’s shoes and Michael Madsen was cast in the part played by Mickey Rourke.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of cast
Verb
  • Cameras are intended to be used by homeowners to keep their houses safe.
    — Sophie Clark, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
  • David Stassen might have been cosmically intended to work on Running Point.
    — Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of intend
Noun
  • Sporting responded strongly after conceding the two goals.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 2 Mar. 2025
  • The 30-year-old defenseman, selected fourth overall in the 2013 NHL draft (two picks after the Panthers selected Aleksander Barkov) has 97 goals and 432 points over his 12-year NHL career.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of goal
Verb
  • The president is expected to issue an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin the process of dissolving the department.
    — Sara Cook, CBS News, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The number of films directed by people of color also dropped in 2024 compared with 2023.
    — Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of direct
Verb
  • Hyundai plans to launch a demonstration line of all-solid-state EV batteries in March.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Trump’s crypto group had planned to look at potentially creating the stockpile with cryptocurrencies seized in law enforcement actions.
    — Reuters, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of plan
Noun
  • Treasuries have been around for a long time, but their underlying purpose is debatable at best.
    — DP Opinion, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Even identifying the most meaningful bits of driving data for training purposes from endless miles of on-road video is extremely hard to do, said an AV researcher and computer scientist briefed on Tesla’s approach who asked not to be named.
    — Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of purpose
Verb
  • Practice setting healthy boundaries, and confront any problematic situations head on.
    — ESSENCE Lifestyle, Essence, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Pricing plays a crucial role; setting prices too low just to attract customers can leave little room for growth, while strategic pricing ensures sustainability and profitability.
    — Melissa Houston, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of set
Verb
  • Trump had hoped his energy policies would put downward pressure on prices, but inflation increased in the month ending January by 0.5% for an annual rate of 3%.
    — Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The parties hoping to form Germany’s next government have agreed to overhaul borrowing rules and create a €500 billion ($536 billion) infrastructure fund in a tectonic spending shift to revamp the military and revive growth in Europe’s largest economy.
    — Reuters, CNN, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of hope

Browse Nearby Words

aim
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aim. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on aim

Nglish: Translation of aim for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
number-twelve-balloon
12-Letter Words Quiz A dozen words, a dozen letters each.
See All