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 Once this transaction is complete, our portfolio will be focused, purposeful and strong. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 29 June 2026 Since the spa soft-opened in January 2024, the team has aimed to maintain a cozy, eclectic ambiance and intentionally infuse homey touches in the space—from the small library of books in the lounge to the purposeful capacity limitations that ensure intimacy is protected. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 June 2026 Outdoor design has never been more personal—or purposeful. — Bridget Moriarity, Architectural Digest, 23 June 2026 Every single day, millions of people in this country wake up doing their very best to live decent and purposeful lives. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 18 June 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
  • That approach has totted up 38 unbeaten matches and created a resolute backline – another key trait of almost all World Cup winners – through pragmatism-by-possession.
    — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • An extremely wacky third-place game The World Cup final tends to be a nervy affair, often marked by cautious attacks and resolute defending.
    — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of resolute
Adjective
  • My decision to pursue space infrastructure is a deliberate choice to help ensure that African women have a meaningful role in designing humanity’s next frontier.
    — Wanjiku Chebet Kanjumba, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026
  • Film Independent President Juan Devis described the evolution as a deliberate break from legacy recognition toward something more active.
    — Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of deliberate
Adjective
  • Her son, Telemachus (Tom Holland), an infant when his father set off for war, is now a young man intent on driving out the suitors—a primordial coming-of-age plot.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
  • Megan Rapinoe, whose name Americans only know because of women's sports, seems oddly intent on destroying women's sports now that she's retired.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of intent
Adjective
  • For Bridges, the record represents a conscious effort to offer some light at a time when that can feel increasingly elusive.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 17 July 2026
  • The person who started that rumor is the present-day, extremely status-conscious Queen Dowager (Our Unwritten Seoul’s Jang Young-nam), who is furious at the idea her husband would make a lowly maid a concubine.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 17 July 2026
Definition of conscious
Adjective
  • Those who are determined to find deer get together and annually lease the hunting rights of ranches at a cost of from $150 to $1,500, or even more, per hunter.
    — Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 23 July 2026
  • The source said Iran remained determined to control passage through the Strait of Hormuz, saying ships would be allowed to pass safely only if their transit was coordinated with Tehran and conducted under Iranian arrangements, the source said.
    — Kevin Breuninger,Lim Hui Jie,Chloe Taylor,Sam Meredith, CNBC, 22 July 2026
Definition of determined
Adjective
  • Like Brissett, Sweat did not attend voluntary off-season workouts.
    — Doug Haller, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • The voluntary recall was initiated after PT Organics Limited’s packaging supplier recalled a production run of defective pouches last week.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
Definition of voluntary
Adjective
  • Any aggression against Iran, including our infrastructure, will compel a powerful and decisive response.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 23 July 2026
  • The decisive seventh inning featured a couple of errors on one play for the Rockies following a single up the middle by Dylan Crews with two runners aboard.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
Definition of decisive
Adjective
  • California officials have disputed that idea, explaining that the state's home care program has grown because of an intentional strategy to keep people out of more expensive nursing homes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
  • However, intentional recovery, through activities like hobbies and psychological detachment, is vital.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of intentional

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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 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of purposeful for Spanish Speakers

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