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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 Because of this purposeful inaccuracy, she will be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment. — Rick Ellis, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Once considered a superfluous step, face mists have since become a more purposeful—and enjoyable—part of our skin care routines. — Jenny Jin, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2026 The resort brings Conrad’s brand promise to life through purposeful exploration, modern design, and an intuitive connection to its surroundings, offering guests a stay that feels both expansive and unmistakably of Punta de Mita. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 19 Aug. 2026 But the friends also recalled chance — or more purposeful — encounters in the years since. — Ben Paviour august 17, Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 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
  • Morgan’s resolute denials pleased his family and friends, but in fact he was deeply rattled.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Yet Cao’s projects are less expository than Farocki’s, less resolute in their theses.
    — Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of resolute
Adjective
  • There were two small red stripes on a sail, clearly deliberate but out of place.
    — John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Talking at the film’s press conference in Venice earlier, Moretti said his absence from from the festival had not been a deliberate slight but rather down to the timing for the shoots of his films.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of deliberate
Adjective
  • This convergence is most visible where customer segmentation and sales enablement align, outreach adapts as intent emerges, and sellers work alongside AI agents that maintain account context.
    — Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Kubrick honed his signature style and attention to detail here in a film that’s constantly twisting and turning, intent on knocking its audience off their feet.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of intent
Adjective
  • More generally, the movie, directed by Elegance Bratton, is about the historical context of this murder, the conscious and organized effort by white Southern citizens and officials to intimidate, persecute, and subjugate Black people.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Devin Oktar Yalkin About PhotoVogue PhotoVogue is a global Condé Nast initiative dedicated to supporting artists and shaping a more conscious visual culture.
    — Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of conscious
Adjective
  • For his part, BYU coach Kalani Sitake is determined to ensure Cougars fans can have more to brag about in the future, demanding that his program receive more financial support from the athletic department and university.
    — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Two of the drama’s whopping 53 nominations were for Seehorn’s portrayal of determined attorney Kim Wexler.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of determined
Adjective
  • Healey will seek $2 million to expand free, voluntary nurse home visits to all families of roughly 68,000 newborns a year, offering help with infant care and postpartum screening.
    — Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Officers later presented them with voluntary-departure agreements, again with little explanation and without a translator, Kim said.
    — Hanna Park, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of voluntary
Adjective
  • But both countries are vying for a decisive advantage on AI, with Trump warning that any efforts to regulate the technology would help China.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • These artists are working in very different places and from very different positions, but their images all seem to understand that a ‘decisive moment’ can happen under pressure.
    — PhotoVogue, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of decisive
Adjective
  • Working in a creative field only strengthened Hayley’s desire to make every element of the celebration feel intentional rather than checking off a list of wedding customs.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
  • While Triump hasn't formally commented on the revisions, the intentional placement speaks for itself.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Sep. 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 19 Sep. 2026.

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