purposeful

adjective

ˈpər-pəs-fəl How to pronounce purposeful (audio)
Definition of purposefulnext
1
as in resolute
fully committed to achieving a goal a soft-spoken but purposeful criminal investigator

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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.
Recent Examples of purposeful Arlington National Cemetery rests in purposeful darkness at night. — Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026 But recently, comments about his long-winded way of speaking have started to feel like purposeful misreadings. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2026 At the foundation of workforce changes related to AI is the idea integrating and deploying this technology has to be purposeful in order to be defensible to a company, explained Shelagh Glaser, chief financial officer of Synopsys. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 But his preseason decision-making was purposeful, like a quarterback recognizing the first progression is open but choosing to go through the second and third progressions regardless. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for purposeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposeful
  1. resolute
  2. deliberate
  3. intent
  4. conscious
  5. determined
  6. voluntary
  7. decisive
  8. intentional
Adjective
  • Remembering Dolores Huerta The fiery and resolute activist who helped launch and guide the nation’s first enduring labor union for poor farmworkers, and later became an inspiration to women and liberal true believers, has died.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • And after October 7, opposition to the notion has become far more resolute.
    — Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of resolute
Adjective
  • Now, four years later, their deviations are the most deliberate and transcendent parts of their music.
    — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Slow beauty is the trend reshaping how younger shoppers buy skincare in 2026, swapping the 10-step routine for fewer products and more deliberate rituals.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of deliberate
Adjective
  • The Chiefs began the third quarter with the ball, and head coach Andy Reid appeared intent on reestablishing the run after handing it off to Kenneth Walker just five times in the first half.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2026
  • In pushing Welch out, an apparent majority of the incoming Democratic caucus is intent on putting out the campfire.
    — Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of intent
Adjective
  • To make your bedroom a little more environmentally conscious, consider starting with the Birch Natural Mattress, a medium-firm hybrid model that’s free of polyurethane foam, fiberglass, formaldehyde, and pesticides.
    — Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Which brings us to the sustainability-conscious shopper browsing Shein at midnight.
    — Kate O'Keeffe, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of conscious
Adjective
  • Buckmaster will portray Alex Grey, a determined reporter convinced there’s more going on in Split River than anyone is saying.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The court upheld a prosecutor’s decision to file murder charges against a driver who was determined to be legally intoxicated at the time of a fatal crash and drove at high speeds, ran a red light and had a near miss right before.
    — David Swanson, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of determined
Adjective
  • The judge dismissed the lawsuit without prejudice after Parton's estate, led by her longtime manager Danny Nozell, requested its voluntary dismissal last week, according to court records seen by ABC News.
    — Katie Kindelan, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • An employee might also forfeit or delay their unemployment benefits upon signing a buyout agreement because it could be considered a voluntary exit .
    — Itzel Franco, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of voluntary
Adjective
  • The decisive vote, however, will come when the new Congress convenes on January 3, 2027.
    — Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Successful implementation will depend on Governor Healey taking immediate, decisive steps to modernize the eligibility system, beginning with a sustainable technology investment plan.
    — Stan Soloway, Boston Herald, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of decisive
Adjective
  • There’s a lot more intimacy and longer lenses in the family scenes, especially with the baby, and that was intentional.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Having so many women running a men's D1 football program is an intentional move by head coach Glenn Caruso.
    — Marielle Mohs, CBS News, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of intentional

Browse Nearby Words

purposed
purposeful
purposefully
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Cite this Entry

“Purposeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposeful. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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