objective
[noun]
Synonyms:
- purpose, aim, ambition, end, goal, intention, mark, object, target
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- unbiased, detached, disinterested, dispassionate, even-handed, fair, impartial, open-minded, unprejudiced

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Antonyms: subjective
Related Words: external, outer, outside, outward

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English Thesaurus: aim, goal, target, objective, ambition, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. ob‧jec‧tive¹ S3 W3 AC /əbˈdʒektɪv/ noun [countable]

1. something that you are trying hard to achieve, especially in business or politics Synonym : goal:
He vowed to achieve certain objectives before the end of his presidency.
the best way to accomplish your objectives
The degree program has two main objectives.
Managers should set specific performance objectives for their teams.
The main objective was to improve children’s knowledge of geography.
A clear objective was set and adhered to.
One of your first business objectives should be to get your own office.

2. a place that you are trying to reach, especially in a military attack:
The 4th Division’s objective was a town 20 miles to the east.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. objective² S3 AC adjective
[Word Family: noun: objectivity; adverb: objectively; adjective: objective]

1. based on facts, or making a decision that is based on facts rather than on your feelings or beliefs Antonym : subjective
objective assessment/measurement/description etc
It’s hard to give an objective opinion about your own children.
Scientists need to be objective when doing research.
purely/totally/completely objective
the importance of a completely objective, independent press

2. formal existing outside the mind as something real, not only as an idea:
The world has an objective reality.
—objectivity /ˌɒbdʒekˈtɪvəti, ˌɒbdʒekˈtɪvɪti $ ˌɑːb-/ noun [uncountable]

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

objective
adj.
VERBS be, seem | remain
ADV. truly, very | completely, purely, totally, wholly It is impossible to be completely objective.
fairly, quite, reasonably | apparently | supposedly

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

objective
noun
ADJ. key, main, major, primary, prime, principal | broad, overall, overriding, ultimate | limited, narrow | long-term, short-term | clear, specific | stated The legislation has failed to achieve its stated objectives.
common The two groups are pursuing a common objective.
economic, educational, environmental, military, political, strategic | business, policy
VERB + OBJECTIVE accomplish, achieve, attain, fulfil, meet, reach, succeed in The department needs more money to fulfil its objectives.
fail in | agree, define, establish, formulate, identify, set, specify We need to establish a clear objective.
declare, state | clarify | promote, pursue
PREP. in an/the ~ The party is radical in its objectives.
~ of We succeeded in our prime objective of cutting costs.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

objective

have an objective
Our main objective is to reduce road accidents.
set an objective (=decide what you are trying to achieve)
Pupils should be encouraged to set their own objectives.
achieve/accomplish an objective (also attain an objective formal)
The policy should help us achieve our objective of reducing paper waste.
reach/meet an objective (=achieve an objective)
We need to control spending in order to meet our financial objectives.
pursue an objective (=try to achieve something you want)
War has always been a means of pursuing national objectives.
the main/principal objective
This research project has three main objectives.
the primary/prime objective (=the main one)
The primary objective of training is to improve performance.
a key objective (= a very important objective)
Their economic strategy was based on a number of key objectives.
a clear objective
A manager must give his team clear objectives to work towards.
a specific objective
Most classroom activities have a specific learning objective.
a stated objective (=what someone says their objective is)
The city’s stated objective was to improve housing in the area.
a common objective (=one that people, countries etc share)
Our employees have a sense of common objectives and their commitment is high.
an economic/military/business/political etc objective
We have made good progress towards meeting our business objectives.
aims and objectives (=all the things someone wants to achieve)
The department should clearly state its aims and objectives.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

aim something you hope to achieve by doing something:
The main aim of the plan was to provide employment for local people.
goal something important that you hope to achieve in the future, even though it may take a long time:
The country can still achieve its goal of reducing poverty by a third.
target a particular amount or total that you want to achieve:
The company is on track to meet its target of increasing profits by 10%.
objective the specific thing that you are trying to achieve – used especially about things that have been officially discussed and agreed upon in business, politics etc:
Their main objective is to halt the flow of drugs.
We met to set the business objectives for the coming year.
ambition something that you very much want to achieve in your future career:
Her ambition was to go to law school and become an attorney.
Earlier this year, he achieved his ambition of competing in the Olympic Games.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

purpose the reason you do something, and the thing you want to achieve when you do it:
What is the purpose of your visit to England?
The plant is used for medicinal purposes.
aim what you want to achieve when you do something:
The main aims of the project are as follows.
Their ultimate aim is to find a cure for cancer.
goal something that you hope to achieve in the future, even though this may take a long time:
It took Mandela over forty years to achieve his goal of a democratic South Africa.
the goal of ending child poverty
objective something that you are working hard to achieve, especially in business or politics:
The bank achieved its objective of increasing its share of the market.
The government’s long-term objective is to cut CO2 emissions by 50%.
the object of something formal the specific purpose of an activity:
The object of the game is to get as many points as possible.
The students will benefit, and that must be the object of the exercise (=the main thing that you are trying to do).
the point the purpose of doing something and the reason why it is right or necessary:
At fourteen, I couldn’t see the point of going to school.
What’s the point in waiting? (=I don’t think it is useful or necessary)
intention the purpose that you have in your mind when you do something:
He kept his real intentions well hidden.
Although we made a lot of money, this wasn’t our original intention.
ends the result that someone is trying to achieve – used especially when you disapprove of what someone is doing:
They are using religion for political ends.
The ends do not justify the means (=you should not use violence, cruelty, dishonest behaviour etc to achieve your aims).

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲