1
as in intentionally
with full awareness of what one is doing
he purposefully chose the more difficult route to the mountain summit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hard
with great effort or determination
strode purposefully into the boss's office, determined to ask for a raise
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 purposefully
The simulated winds, which in a recent test purposefully fluctuated between 30 and 55 mph (50 to 90 kph), continually pushed the flames toward the home.
—
ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
But where many single-color canvases from the era were characterized by the smooth, even application of paint, Hayward purposefully left his materials chunky and thick.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
One of those blew up on its landing attempt while another was purposefully expended to get its payload to a higher orbital insertion.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026
The number of the flowers was purposefully chosen to represent the effects of urban heating.
—Alyssa Andrews, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
The atmosphere is purposefully refined yet relaxed.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2026
Campbell’s suit alleged that the company purposefully designed their apps to addict young users.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Each cocktail is purposefully crafted, bridging flavors as with a slow-sipper featuring a split whiskey base sees bitter orange, curry leaf, and a bath of hickory smoke paired with the kitchen’s tender rogan josh shank, snappy papadum, and other hits.
—Chris Malloy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
Or when Reggie purposefully annoys Arthur by having his son, Carmelo (Jalyn Hall), practice with his a cappella group in Arthur’s editing suite, a move that demonstrates the increasingly teasing affection between Arthur and Reggie.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
But where many single-color canvases from the era were characterized by the smooth, even application of paint, Hayward purposefully left his materials chunky and thick.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
One of those blew up on its landing attempt while another was purposefully expended to get its payload to a higher orbital insertion.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026
The number of the flowers was purposefully chosen to represent the effects of urban heating.
—Alyssa Andrews, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
The atmosphere is purposefully refined yet relaxed.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2026
Campbell’s suit alleged that the company purposefully designed their apps to addict young users.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Each cocktail is purposefully crafted, bridging flavors as with a slow-sipper featuring a split whiskey base sees bitter orange, curry leaf, and a bath of hickory smoke paired with the kitchen’s tender rogan josh shank, snappy papadum, and other hits.
—Chris Malloy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
Or when Reggie purposefully annoys Arthur by having his son, Carmelo (Jalyn Hall), practice with his a cappella group in Arthur’s editing suite, a move that demonstrates the increasingly teasing affection between Arthur and Reggie.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposefully
Adverb
-
Many of the same tools and principles that make content accessible also boost visibility—when they’re used intentionally.—
Rochelle Ratkaj,
Rolling Stone,
23 Apr. 2026
-
First Citizens intentionally delayed the integration of Silicon Valley Bank because, in 2023, deposit losses at Silicon Valley Bank lingered, and First Citizens wanted to focus on stabilizing that.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Aerate compacted and hard-to-wet lawns.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
King Charles' younger sister is known for her tireless drive for royal duty, often ranked among the royal family's hardest-working members by count of official engagements recorded in The Court Circular.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Given the importance of preserving relations with the FCC, which has a say over a range of local station matters and must approve any mergers involving the transfer of broadcast licenses, LeGeyt has deliberately avoided a direct clash with his Washington counterpart.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The idea of food apartheid forces us to zoom out and consider how many systems are deliberately built to work against certain consumers based on race and geography.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Artemis’ crew trained intensively with geologists and other scientists to be on the lookout for more prospective landing sites for future missions, craters and just interesting events or features.—
Jennifer Levasseur,
The Conversation,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The lower mowing ranges are commonly used for recreational turf areas that are more intensively managed.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Are companies purposely purchasing broadcast time so that their commercials are repeated like that?—
Rich Heldenfels,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Pitchers like Jimmy Herget, Chase Dollander and Senzatela have been purposely scheduled for multiple innings, with the hope that late-game relievers won’t be toast in August.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Shop diligently online for those accounts with the best rates and terms, but act promptly to lock one in when ultimately found.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
One company has been diligently working on something like that and claims to be inching ever closer.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
More intensely purple forms — often associated with species like Renilla amethystina — are influenced by pigmentation and habitat factors such as light exposure and sediment composition.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Extreme Cream is an intensely hydrating moisturizer clinically shown to visibly firm, lift, and smooth while supporting the skin barrier and creating a makeup-ready base.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
That means focusing more intently on new kinds of attributes.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
-
But amid the chaos, the camera is focused intently on Robby’s face.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purposefully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposefully. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
