1
as in resolute
fully committed to achieving a goal
a soft-spoken but purposeful criminal investigator
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deliberate
made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing
there's a difference between a purposeful lie and an accidental untruth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of purposeful
On the street, the Mazda3 hatchback carries itself with a restrained yet purposeful elegance.
—
New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
Besson takes real liberties with Stoker’s original saga too, hinting at a purposeful attempt to reframe Dracula as a sly romantic hero that winds up looking like just another ineffectual vampire movie instead.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Feb. 2026
King’s purposeful choke point continuously kept the school bus from reaching Wells’ children.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026
While each family member has a specific color palette, the characters' individual costumes are also purposeful.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for purposeful
New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
Besson takes real liberties with Stoker’s original saga too, hinting at a purposeful attempt to reframe Dracula as a sly romantic hero that winds up looking like just another ineffectual vampire movie instead.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Feb. 2026
King’s purposeful choke point continuously kept the school bus from reaching Wells’ children.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026
While each family member has a specific color palette, the characters' individual costumes are also purposeful.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for purposeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposeful
Adjective
-
The mission of the MLB Players Association remains resolute, even after the sudden resignation of its longtime leader, Tony Clark.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The team had seen roughly 90 children, including an experienced young actor, but de Araújo was resolute.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
These were deliberate choices to value political optics over wise and practical energy policy.—
Justin Ready,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Under the Chemical Weapons Convention, nerve agents like Novichoks are tightly controlled, and any deliberate use against humans is prohibited.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
What matters is intent—how much the audience actually cares.—
Martin Moszkowicz,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2026
-
But OpenAI seems intent on being an enterprise company, too, and isn’t shying away from a fight with Google and Apple.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
At the same time Chew is conscious of the recent vibe shift that weight-loss drugs are contributing to.—
Petra Guglielmetti,
Glamour,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Everybody’s conscious of price and the fashion industry is in a bit of chaos.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Warner Bros is determined to get Wuthering Heights to an $80M-plus opening, and that might fluctuate with a lower domestic 4-day (mid $30M) and a better international (north of $42M).—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
15 Feb. 2026
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That means that Siqueira, recruiting coordinator Camilo Guerci and assistant coach Chen Abramovich are determined to sign as many as 16 new players by the time the 2026 season starts in August.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
These funds support a voluntary return-home program in which returners receive a stipend for up to seven years.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
In fact, Lifetouch was the first school photography company to sign a voluntary and enforceable privacy pledge—reaffirming our deep commitment to protecting school communities.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Crimson got goals from Samuel Biederwolf, Luke Steen, Jaden Roueche, Grady Kranz, Henry Miller, Matthew Johnson and Wyatt Kuznik in the decisive win.—
Pioneer Press,
Twin Cities,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The vote on Wednesday proved to be more decisive for Meyer.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Small, intentional touches can instantly brighten your home’s exterior.—
Lauren Jones,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The partnership is intentional.—
Derek James,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purposeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposeful. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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