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

• bent (on or upon)
• bound
• decisive
• determined
• do-or-die
• firm
• hell-bent (on or upon)
• intent
• out
• resolute
• resolved
• set
• single-minded

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

However, because of her purposeful philanthropy, Scott has dropped on the billionaires list and is no longer the richest woman in the world. —Diane J. Cho, People.com, 28 June 2025

Virgin is, as its name suggests, a purposeful regression, a return to youthful possibility. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 June 2025

Clarity on personal and organizational integrity simplifies complex choices, replacing endless analysis with purposeful action. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

Barbaro ascended the front stairs to the third floor and proceeded down the hallway in his business-like, purposeful gait which a former teacher at the school said characterized his passage from classroom to classroom. —Sally Ventura june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1