aim: 从本义“靶子”引申而来，侧重比较具体而明确的目标，但常指短期目标。

The policeman ~ed his gun at the fugitive. 

警察用枪对准逃犯

goal: 指经过考虑和选择，需经坚持不懈的努力奋斗才能达到的最终目标。

When the boat floats through the throat, the goat in overcoat goes to the goal.

当船漂过狭口时,穿大衣的山羊朝目标走去.

purpose: 普通用词，既指以坚决、审慎的行动去达到的目的，又指心中渴望要实际的目标。

For what ~ are you doing that? = What is your ~ in doing that?. 

你做那件事有何目的?

end: 指心目中怀着的某种目的，强调结果而非过程。较正式用词。

I was moved by the ~ of this novel. 

我被这本小说的结局感动了

target: 指射击的靶，军事攻击目标。引申指被攻击、批评或潮笑的目标。

Republicans targeted her as vulnerable in her bid for reelection this year.

共和党人认为她在今年的再次参选中是不堪一击的攻击目标。

object: 强调个人或需求而决定的目标、目的。

He squinted his eyes as though he were studying an object on the horizon.

他眯着眼睛，好像在研究地平线上的某个物体。

objective与object基本同义，但语义更广泛，指具体或很快能达到的目的，也可指军事目标。书面用词。