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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of purposeful
While the coffins weren't suspended on cliff faces, many were elevated on stilts and placed in hard-to-access caverns, again suggesting a purposeful and ceremonial ritual.
—
New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
Some of the best journeys are long, purposeful walks that aren’t necessarily strenuous, but still offer spectacular views.
—The Editors, Outside, 25 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
See All Example Sentences for purposeful
New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
Some of the best journeys are long, purposeful walks that aren’t necessarily strenuous, but still offer spectacular views.
—The Editors, Outside, 25 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
See All Example Sentences for purposeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposeful
Adjective
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But Sarah remains resolute, Bert tamps down his desire to make a quick buck — for a while, at least — and the situation starts to draw national attention, thanks to the involvement of a white civil rights attorney and a Black reporter from up north.—
Joe Leydon,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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Despite his anger, the woman remained confused but resolute.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Since the boycott, PEN has donated to Palestinian aid organizations, highlighted writers and journalists who have been targeted and killed by Israel, and released a report on the deliberate destruction of Palestinian cultural heritage.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
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Many of these cases were traced back to individuals who would not have passed a more deliberate vetting process.—
Karl W. Bickel,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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More than anything, O’Leary is intent on branding himself a champion of capitalism.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
2 Jan. 2026
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The members of NewJeans had originally seemed intent on appealing the decision before ultimately deciding to open up talks of a return with Ador.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
31 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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In the end, these astrological narratives make 2026 a year of bold new beginnings and conscious leadership.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
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In a price-conscious consumer landscape, competitive discounts also captured attention in a significant way.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Left in the dark Early in the pandemic, Florida was determined to keep a lid of secrecy on the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities.—
Kevin G. Hall,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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In a landscape of fear and scarcity, where basic ingredients are nearly impossible to find, Lamia sets out on a determined journey throughout the big city in search of eggs, flour and sugar.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The program was also voluntary — if residents saw fit just to throw all their recyclable glass and aluminum and paper into the regular garbage there was nothing stopping them from doing so.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
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But that doesn’t mean anyone took it easy on Sherrod, who always participated in voluntary class time.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Choose decisive steps over a confusing kerfuffle!—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Tesla shareholders delivered another decisive message through their vote on Tesla’s Texas-style 3% ownership threshold for filing derivative lawsuits.—
Shane Goodwin,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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That’s thanks to an intentional and methodical approach.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
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Displaying knickknacks on trays is one easy way to corral visual clutter, and sticking to a limited color palette throughout your home will make your other design choices look more intentional.—
Tessa Cooper,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purposeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposeful. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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