purposeful

adjective

pur·​pose·​ful ˈpər-pəs-fəl How to pronounce purposeful (audio)
Synonyms of purposefulnext
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.
Every single day, millions of people in this country wake up doing their very best to live decent and purposeful lives. Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 18 June 2026 The collection made the wait feel almost purposeful, as if absence sharpened the duo’s already exacting vision. Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 17 June 2026 Plus, the updo is perfect for a rainy day—any potential frizz and flyaways may even seem purposeful. Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 14 June 2026 Blunt thinks that ambiguity is completely purposeful. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026 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 25 Jun. 2026.

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