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 Four round headlights give the little Fiat a surprisingly purposeful front fascia, while the wider stance gives it a whole lot more road presence. — New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2026 Even if your entry isn’t separated by walls or doors, adding something tall and eye-catching makes the space feel more welcoming and purposeful. — Natasha Bazika, Martha Stewart, 24 Sep. 2026 Others see the magnification of extinction worries as a purposeful distraction from immediate, real-world AI harms. — Jared Perlo, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2026 Whether destruction or technological progress, both are purposeful activities, each with different conceptions of success or failure. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 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
  • Moreover, merely establishing credibility to act cannot necessarily overwhelm a resolute adversary, as has been borne out in Iran.
    — Christopher Nichols, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026
  • According to biographer Anne Sebba, Simpson’s answer was resolute.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of resolute
Adjective
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio also rejected Zelenskyy's claims that the disruptions to the system were deliberate.
    — Kristin Wright, NPR, 18 Oct. 2026
  • In the lobby, the beams and columns join with such deliberate overelaborations as to mock the simplicity of the overall building.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of deliberate
Adjective
  • Swayze died in 2009 of pancreatic cancer and Jacobson is intent on honoring the late star’s legacy with the sequel.
    — J. Kim Murphy, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Since 2021 the company has also been intent on strengthening its distribution channels and showrooms across Asia, Europe and North America.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of intent
Adjective
  • Responding to the tough market, New York dealer Lauren Marinaro of Marinaro Gallery took a conscious decision to feature artworks under $10,000 from artists Ever Baldwin, Ridley Howard, Ron Isaacs, Ryan Johnson and Alessandro Teoldi.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Something that truly was almost seen [as] conscious, which is very hard for someone like Olivia, who believes in Jesus and the Bible.
    — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of conscious
Adjective
  • The overwhelming problem of plastic From flax that can be used in clothing and cars to robotic skimmers to stricter laws, determined researchers, activists and volunteers fight an industry intent on making more plastic.
    — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • That witness said Foss left a cellphone behind after their interaction, which was later determined to have belonged to Lussier.
    — Stephen Swanson, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of determined
Adjective
  • Yes, indeed, although voluntary export restraints raise a series of technical issues.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The voluntary settlement agreement does not require a monetary payment, and the university does not admit to any wrongdoing or liability.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of voluntary
Adjective
  • Brandon McElroy, who founded the nonprofit Green Air Solutions to lead the fight against J7, said in an interview that the denial was a decisive win.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Despite Paolo Banchero’s 35 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds against the Hawks, the Magic had 20 turnovers and shot 1-of-12 from 3-point range in the decisive fourth quarter.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of decisive
Adjective
  • Supreme Court justices will now consider whether a group claiming to be targeted by a race-neutral policy must show it was disproportionately harmed to prove intentional discrimination.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Election experts have said many instances of noncitizens registering to vote are a result of administrative error or confusion on the part of the immigrant — not intentional criminality.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 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 24 Oct. 2026.

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