to aim for

Examples

• All

• I'm talking about setting the standards that they need to aim for in life.

  Courageous (2011)

• Affiliative approaches put people first and aim for satisfaction and harmony among followers.

  Academic text (2017)

• How did you aim for the career you have and go get it?

  Evan Carmichael

• And I aim, I aim to achieve that for a spot before too long.

• Then it's something to aim for.

  Now Is Good (2012)

• So we naturally aim for the things that we can see.

  Grace Beverley

• Is it possible that you were aiming for money?

• I think it's OK to aim for unrealistic goals.

  The Math Sorcerer

• Progress is greater and faster when countries aim for practical increments rather than great leaps.

  Academic text (1997)

• Traditionally, ethnographers aim for an "active understanding" of a fieldsite language.

  Academic text (2006)

Synonyms

T

to try

vsto aim for

∞ 1.0

To make an effort to do something difficult

implies sustained direction toward a goal rather than a single attempt

A

to attempt

vsto aim for

∞ 1.3

To try to do something that is difficult or new

focuses on directing effort toward chosen objectives rather than trial

S

to seek

vsto aim for

∞ 1.0

Try to find or get something you want

focuses more narrowly on directing sustained effort to planned goals

P

to pursue

vsto aim for

∞ 3.5

To try to get something you want, like a job or a goal

is about directing effort toward goals rather than following a plan

G

to go for

vsto aim for

272 2.5

To try to get something you want by making an effort

leans more toward planning and aiming effort over time

A

to aim at

vsto aim for

239 2.3

Try to reach a goal

directs effort toward a goal generally rather than precise focus

S

to strive

vsto aim for

156 3.7

To work very hard to reach a goal

covers effort but is more about setting direction than struggle

A

to aspire

vsto aim for

106 4.1

To want very much to achieve an important goal

is about practical direction of effort rather than inner desire

T

to try for

vsto aim for

76 3.1

Make a strong effort to get something you want

emphasizes steady direction of effort rather than single attempts

S

to shoot for

vsto aim for

• Informal

30 3.9

To try to reach a big, difficult goal

is general goal direction and not necessarily very challenging

F

to follow your dream

vsto aim for

18 3.4

To try to reach a personal goal despite problems

covers directing effort toward any goal, not only personal aims

T

to take aim at

vsto aim for

18 4.1

Direct attention, effort, or criticism toward a target

is broader, covering general effort toward any goal

A

to aim high

vsto aim for

5 3.9

Try to reach very difficult goals

is about directing effort toward goals without requiring high ambition

R

to reach for the stars

vsto aim for

• Informal

4 4.9

To try to achieve very big goals

is broader, about directing effort to goals of any size

R

to reach for the sky

vsto aim for

• Informal

3 7.1

To try to do very big or difficult things to get what you want

is about pointing effort toward goals generally rather than extreme aims

S

to strive for excellence

vsto aim for

2 3.5

To try very hard to reach the highest standards

is broader, aiming effort at goals without insisting on top standards

S

to shoot for the stars

vsto aim for

• Informal

2 4.7

Try to reach a very high and difficult goal

applies to directing effort at goals of any size, not only extreme

P

to pursue a dream

vsto aim for

1 3.0

Work to make a dream come true

is neutral about personal ambition, focusing on directed effort

T

to trying

vsto aim for

1.0

To make an effort to do something

stresses directing effort toward a defined goal rather than process

H

to have (something) in one's sights

vsto aim for

5.3

Plan to get something you want, like a job or prize

is about directing effort toward goals rather than merely seeing them

Antonyms

G

to give up

∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

How Ambitious

to aspire

106 4.1

to shoot for

• Informal

30 3.9

to aim for

79 2.8

to settle for

143 3.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology