purposeful

adjective

pur·​pose·​ful ˈpər-pəs-fəl 

1

: having a purpose: such as

a

: meaningful

purposeful activities

b

: intentional

purposeful ambiguity

2

: full of determination

was soft-spoken but purposeful

purposefully

ˈpər-pəs-fə-lē 

adverb

purposefulness noun

Synonyms of purposeful

• resolute
• intent
• determined
• decisive
• positive
• confident

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

His color choices in the film’s emotional climax are the subtle, purposeful craft work that the cinematography branch voters live for. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026

Chef Gerardo Gonzalez, formerly of El Rey and Lalito in New York City, revamped the culinary program at The Ranch to reflect a broader move toward personalization while remaining wellness-focused and purposeful. —Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2026

Compared with China, the United States’ future in space appears far less unified, coordinated and purposeful. —Michael Carrafiello, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026

Nothing flashy, but all purposeful. —Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1