purposeful

adjective

pur·​pose·​ful ˈpər-pəs-fəl How to pronounce purposeful (audio)
1
: having a purpose: such as
a
: meaningful
purposeful activities
b
: intentional
purposeful ambiguity
2
: full of determination
was soft-spoken but purposeful
purposefully adverb
purposefulness noun

Examples of purposeful in a Sentence

a soft-spoken but purposeful criminal investigator there's a difference between a purposeful lie and an accidental untruth
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Prichard brings on guests to talk about navigating the job market and finding purposeful careers. Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025 Today, the most public-facing efforts of the organization revolve around progressive social initiatives — LGBTQIA+ rights, immigration advocacy and diversity mandates that often feel more performative than purposeful. Jeremy Gosnell, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2025 Telling their stories and acknowledging their lives seems very purposeful, especially with Michelle (Jurnee Smollett), his partner, and Freddy (Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine), his fellow arsonist. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 July 2025 Drawing on her more than 30 years of experience in rock radio, pop and country music, talent development and executive leadership, Fram has created a strategic development model for her artist roster which will be focused on purposeful relationships. Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for purposeful

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of purposeful was in 1853

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Cite this Entry

“Purposeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purposeful. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

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