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.
Either way, there’s a shift from casual enjoyment to something that feels purposeful and rewarding. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025 But instead, this was a more purposeful, positive Spurs display than those. Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025 As the football program grew, so, too, did the JMU enrollment, the front door of athletics helping a purposeful plan to steadily grow the student population. Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025 The gold coloration of the entire presentation is a very purposeful choice. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 17 Dec. 2025 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 27 Dec. 2025.

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