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Synonyms
Examples of purposely in a Sentence
the real estate agent purposely withheld information that would have discouraged us from buying the property
Recent Examples on the Web
The companies have spent decades lobbying against free tax-filing options, according to a ProPublica report that found H&R Block and Intuit were purposely suppressing their own free filing offerings.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
In an odd loophole, Vincent’s death is not counted in statewide or federal statistics on police chases because the officer purposely struck his car.
—Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2024
Technical violations can include actions like failing a drug test, missing curfew, being purposely unemployed or visiting a liquor store.
—Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2024
The models reached the end and posed under a spotlight, in front of a trash can that had been purposely tipped over.
—Chicago Tribune, Orange County Register, 1 Feb. 2024
Menopause Retreats, a recent wellness trend, are purposely designed to support women in this transition.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
This seems to be what the 62-year-old director was going for in Black Tea, which kicks off with Aya about to get married along with other couples in a group ceremony somewhere in Africa (the country is purposely unnamed, although the scene was shot in the Ivory Coast).
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2024
At the Super Bowl, the world watched as Kansas City Chiefs superstar Travis Kelce screamed and then purposely bumped into the head of his coach, Andy Reid.
—Brian Hamilton, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2024
Their programs are purposely designed to addict the user.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'purposely.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of purposely was
in the 15th century
Articles Related to purposely
Dictionary Entries Near purposely
Cite this Entry
“Purposely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purposely. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.
Kids Definition
purposely
adverb
pur·pose·ly
ˈpər-pəs-lē
: with a clear or known purpose
Legal Definition
purposely
adverb
pur·pose·ly
: with a deliberate, conscious, or express purpose : intentionally
More from Merriam-Webster on purposely
Nglish: Translation of purposely for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of purposely for Arabic Speakers
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