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intent 1 of 2

noun

in-ˈtent How to pronounce intent (audio)
Definition of intentnext
1
as in purpose
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish I'm sorry that I hurt your feelings; that wasn't my intent

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intention
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action the wording was a little unclear, but I think I grasped the intent

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intent

2 of 2

adjective

1
as in resolute
fully committed to achieving a goal intent on finishing her sculpture in time for the group show

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in focused
having the mind fixed on something he was so intent on his work that he didn't hear the dog bark

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun intent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of intent are aim, design, end, goal, intention, objective, object, and purpose. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

When can aim be used instead of intent?

In some situations, the words aim and intent are roughly equivalent. However, aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

In what contexts can design take the place of intent?

While the synonyms design and intent are close in meaning, design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

When could end be used to replace intent?

The words end and intent 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 intent?

While in some cases nearly identical to intent, goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

When would intention be a good substitute for intent?

Although the words intention and intent have much in common, 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 intent?

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 objective be a reasonable alternative to intent?

The meanings of objective and intent largely overlap; however, objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

When might purpose be a better fit than intent?

The words purpose and intent can be used in similar contexts, but purpose suggests a more settled determination.

being successful was her purpose in life

How does the noun intent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of intent are aim, design, end, goal, intention, objective, object, and purpose. While all these words mean "what one intends to accomplish or attain," intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

When can aim be used instead of intent?

In some situations, the words aim and intent are roughly equivalent. However, aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

In what contexts can design take the place of intent?

While the synonyms design and intent are close in meaning, design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

When could end be used to replace intent?

The words end and intent 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 intent?

While in some cases nearly identical to intent, goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

When would intention be a good substitute for intent?

Although the words intention and intent have much in common, 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 intent?

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 objective be a reasonable alternative to intent?

The meanings of objective and intent largely overlap; however, objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

When might purpose be a better fit than intent?

The words purpose and intent can be used in similar contexts, but 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 intent
Noun
Pisces February 19 – March 20 Pisces, your voice can currently land with warm, clear intent. —Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026 The deployment of Lewis O’Brien and Ollie Rathbone, playing as an energetic pair of No 10s behind the equally-mobile Sam Smith up front suited this intent wonderfully. —Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Texas hasn't lost by 20 or more points this season, but the Hogs seem intent on changing that. —Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026 In refusing to bow to an administration that has been intent on bullying private companies into submission, Amodei and his team are taking a bold stand on ethical grounds, and risking a censure that could erode Anthropic’s long-term viability. —Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intent
  1. purpose
  2. intention
  3. resolute
  4. focused
  5. goal
  6. meaning
  7. determined
  8. interested
Noun
  • For anyone building a compact, efficient toolkit, the hori hori knife eliminates the need for several single-purpose gadgets.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The military’s purpose is national defense, not managing domestic dissent.
    — Brielle Miller, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of purpose
Noun
  • Good intentions — and handsome animation — aside, Forevergreen is ultimately too maudlin and moralistic to rank it much higher than this.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
  • When Myra’s true intentions come to light, however, Billy realizes her plan threatens to consume them both.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of intention
Adjective
  • The resolute tango between the personal and the practical is a hallmark of a cookbook humdinger.
    — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 5 Mar. 2026
  • In welcoming the group during a swearing-in ceremony, Fils-Aimé made an impassioned appeal for civic engagement in Haiti and insisted on the need for his new cabinet to take resolute action.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Definition of resolute
Adjective
  • Christodoulides has underscored that Cyprus won’t take part in any military operation and remains focused on its regional humanitarian role that includes a maritime corridor sending aid to the Gaza Strip via the Israeli port of Ashdod.
    — Sylvie Corbet, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Next to him is guitarist Khrystian Ramos, focused and business-minded, balancing band duties with outside ventures that include a successful seafood business.
    — Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of focused
Noun
  • Iran had been building that capacity in Iraq since the 1980s, cultivating Shia political networks, exile parties and militia groups during and after the Iran-Iraq War and beyond with the explicit goal of ensuring a post-Saddam Iraq would never again threaten Iranian security.
    — Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Awe-inspiring Jupiter is moving forward once more in your empathetic sign, lifting your confidence and inviting a fresh approach to self-care and personal goals.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of goal
Noun
  • Would Carolyn have finally found her thing that gave her life meaning besides him?
    — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Over centuries of kabuki tradition, wigs have come to help embody the deeper meaning of a character.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026
Definition of meaning
Adjective
  • Dengler endured endless torture and other miseries — escaping from prison was just the beginning of his ordeal in the jungle — but Bale plays him as a determined optimist, an indomitable spirit that cannot be crushed.
    — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026
  • We are both disciplined, determined and accomplished men.
    — Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Definition of determined
Adjective
  • But many ship owners, Mills said, wouldn’t be interested in putting ships at risk, insurance or not.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Tao’s advance would eventually catch the eye of Rosenfeld, who was interested in proofs that use a computer to check many examples.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
Definition of interested

Browse Nearby Words

intensively
intent
intention
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Cite this Entry

“Intent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intent. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on intent

Nglish: Translation of intent for Spanish Speakers

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