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
Even the instrumentals feel purposeful.
—
Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 1 May 2026
For organizations looking to move beyond disconnected marketing efforts and build a more cohesive path to growth, Sirak Studios offers a model grounded in strategy, systems, and purposeful execution.
—Ethan Stone, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
The possession ended in a Hart layup but not because the Knicks were purposeful with their movement to begin it.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
The move was a purposeful nod from Garin to the women who had come before her, and a way to signal her path forward.
—Monique El-Faizy, Air Mail, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for purposeful
Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 1 May 2026
For organizations looking to move beyond disconnected marketing efforts and build a more cohesive path to growth, Sirak Studios offers a model grounded in strategy, systems, and purposeful execution.
—Ethan Stone, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
The possession ended in a Hart layup but not because the Knicks were purposeful with their movement to begin it.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
The move was a purposeful nod from Garin to the women who had come before her, and a way to signal her path forward.
—Monique El-Faizy, Air Mail, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for purposeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposeful
Adjective
-
Pichai’s lieutenants hold up his resolute focus on serving the user as an unequivocal good.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
6 May 2026
-
The goal and Joao Pedro’s ping off the inside of Lucas Perri’s near post were the concerns, but beyond that, United were resolute at the back, but unable to muster anything of their own.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But in its 11th year, the festival made a deliberate shift toward local storytelling and civic engagement.—
Christiana Freitag,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
-
But this time, there was nothing deliberate about the process.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
The bottom line is that the pressure on the great American people, because of these people who are like really intent on American and Israeli destruction with their nuclear weapons, are still in power.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
-
Well, part of what the government would have to prove is intent.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
3 May 2026
Adjective
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Instead, the decision should be seen as part of our larger national debate over whether, outside the most egregious cases, there is a role for race-conscious remedies in our continuing effort to build a more just society.—
Stephen L. Carter,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
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To take plants seriously as living, breathing, conscious, and communicative beings, the movie suggests, requires a measure of time, an embrace of solitude, and a retreat from the hectic anxieties of the modern world.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Church went to the Holy Land in search of sublimity; Twain fastened on the absurdities of those determined to find it.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The dog was also determined to be OK.—
Riley Rourke,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Browns held a three-day voluntary minicamp shortly before the 2026 NFL Draft.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
2 May 2026
-
Some are legally binding (California, New York, China, the EU); others issue voluntary guidance (NIST, Singapore).—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
These results were championed as the country’s official victory over the virus and a decisive win for those advocating for digital vaccination credential systems.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
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After scoring a decisive goal in Buffalo’s series-clinching win against Boston in Game 6, Benson was all over the ice in the first period against Montreal.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Some observers allege that, because Tomahawks can be controlled with precision, the strike was intentional.—
Zohreh Saberi,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
The wide-leg pants are stretchy and comfortable, while the coordinating short-sleeve top makes the whole look feel intentional.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purposeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposeful. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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