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

And as the Amistad insurgency brings out emphatically, this was a tale of conscious and purposeful action, driven by group solidarities, and the search for individual freedom and collective self-determination. —Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025

As Linklater suggests, however, Godard was purposeful in his purposelessness throughout the shoot. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2025

The natural oak shows off its grain, and the simple plank-style base keeps the whole piece looking clean and purposeful. —Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 1 Dec. 2025

Each mode feels purposeful, distinct, and thoughtfully engineered, making the three-minute routine surprisingly dynamic for such a streamlined device. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 29 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1