Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun purpose

3 senses of purpose

Sense 1
purpose, intent, intention, aim, design -- (an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions; "his intent was to provide a new translation"; "good intentions are not enough"; "it was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs"; "he made no secret of his designs")
       => goal, end -- (the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it; "the ends justify the means")

Sense 2
function, purpose, role, use -- (what something is used for; "the function of an auger is to bore holes"; "ballet is beautiful but what use is it?")
       => utility, usefulness -- (the quality of being of practical use)

Sense 3
determination, purpose -- (the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose; "his determination showed in his every movement"; "he is a man of purpose")
       => resoluteness, firmness, firmness of purpose, resolve, resolution -- (the trait of being resolute; "his resoluteness carried him through the battle"; "it was his unshakeable resolution to finish the work")

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb purpose

2 senses of purpose

Sense 1
aim, purpose, purport, propose -- (propose or intend; "I aim to arrive at noon")
       => intend, mean, think -- (have in mind as a purpose; "I mean no harm"; "I only meant to help you"; "She didn't think to harm me"; "We thought to return early that night")

Sense 2
purpose, resolve -- (reach a decision; "he resolved never to drink again")
       => decide, make up one's mind, determine -- (reach, make, or come to a decision about something; "We finally decided after lengthy deliberations")