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
Minimal white cabinetry provides a clean, functional backdrop that balances utility with quiet elegance, allowing the kitchen to feel both purposeful and serene.
—
Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2025
Let’s trade status quo comfort for purposeful stretch.
—Shelley Zalis, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
In other words, this was not a team that had purposeful possession.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Europe is highly interdependent with both the U.S. and China, and European leaders rightly see this entire dispute as a purposeful choice of Trump's, not Xi's.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purposeful
Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2025
Let’s trade status quo comfort for purposeful stretch.
—Shelley Zalis, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
In other words, this was not a team that had purposeful possession.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Europe is highly interdependent with both the U.S. and China, and European leaders rightly see this entire dispute as a purposeful choice of Trump's, not Xi's.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purposeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposeful
Adjective
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The closest thing that comes to mind is probably Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life, although this is Malick by way of Jane Campion and Michael Haneke, shifting between fleeting coming-of-age moments and scenes of resolute darkness and human cruelty.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2025
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It was never sold in the U.S. thanks to the unwavering objections of a resolute reviewer at the FDA named Frances Oldham Kelsey.—
David Armstrong,
CNN Money,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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In the careful selection of a pocket square, in the perfect dimple of a tie knot, in the deliberate shine of oxfords, these women continue a tradition of using style as both survival strategy and self-announcing act.—
Skylar Mitchell,
Essence,
12 May 2025
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Managers can help by normalizing those reactions and creating deliberate space for them.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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If the players were intent on sticking to their set routines, chairman Steve Parish was the opposite.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
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The La Jolla Shores Permit Review Committee returned to meeting online this week, and though its first meeting back on Zoom since the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t go as smoothly as hoped, the board is intent on sticking to the virtual format.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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Most others are exploring their options on incentives and examining if this is the right path to take. Future of Work – new patterns, new challenges, new opportunities In some policy areas, like International Tax Reform, change has been driven by conscious political decisions.—
Amanda Tickel,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
-
The boy was found alert and conscious, officials said, according to local ABC affiliate WJLA.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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The president is determined to get something done here.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
20 May 2025
-
The conservative view Many conservatives are determined to repeal or at least delay and dilute most of the clean energy breaks.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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First, the team worked with cat owners to obtain voluntary samples.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
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An estimated 76,000 people, or 16.6 percent over the age of 65, are living with Alzheimer’s in Miami-Dade County according to research by Alzheimer’s Association, the worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to care, support and research.—
CHRISTINA MAYO,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Today's ruling is another clear and decisive victory that will ensure the lives of countless unborn children remain protected and that South Carolina continues to lead the charge in defending the sanctity of life.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
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Charlotte’s victory in the series-deciding finale improved its record to 3-4 all time in its modern history (since 1994) and was the second in three season; Charlotte won the decisive third game of a best-of-three series in 2023 over Lehigh Valley.—
Richard Walker,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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But Dhillon said the Biden administration wrongly attributed disparities in the treatment of racial minorities with intentional discrimination.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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The series opener got physical with Carolina dishing some dirty on an elbow to the head of Cats goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and Brad Marchand taking an intentional puck from Shayne Gostisbehere.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purposeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposeful. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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