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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of purposefully
Matt ultimately decides to go with another director and purposefully buys Scorsese's script — meant to be his final film — with the sole intention of killing the project.
—
Carson Blackwelder, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
The American public was purposefully shielded from discovering who wielded the executive power, all while Biden's signature was deployed across thousands of documents to effect radical policy shifts.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
But here, the outward charm feels hollow, purposefully so.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2025
There is a world in which the actress once known as America’s sweetheart can turn the tide her way, with voters nominating her for Best Actress as a vote of confidence toward her purposefully polarizing character.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 29 Aug. 2025
However, a source told The Mirror that the reconciliation is indeed happening between father and son in September, but William is purposefully avoiding his brother at all costs.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 29 Aug. 2025
Jim Heininger is the founder of Rebranding Experts, the only firm purposefully designed to rebrand organizations successfully.
—Jim Heininger, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Their clashes are purposefully hectic and confused, the better for questioning rather than glorifying acts of violence.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Driving back toward downtown, purposefully over the Hoan Bridge, my Spotify seemed to understand the weight of the moment.
—Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Carson Blackwelder, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
The American public was purposefully shielded from discovering who wielded the executive power, all while Biden's signature was deployed across thousands of documents to effect radical policy shifts.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
But here, the outward charm feels hollow, purposefully so.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2025
There is a world in which the actress once known as America’s sweetheart can turn the tide her way, with voters nominating her for Best Actress as a vote of confidence toward her purposefully polarizing character.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 29 Aug. 2025
However, a source told The Mirror that the reconciliation is indeed happening between father and son in September, but William is purposefully avoiding his brother at all costs.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 29 Aug. 2025
Jim Heininger is the founder of Rebranding Experts, the only firm purposefully designed to rebrand organizations successfully.
—Jim Heininger, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Their clashes are purposefully hectic and confused, the better for questioning rather than glorifying acts of violence.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Driving back toward downtown, purposefully over the Hoan Bridge, my Spotify seemed to understand the weight of the moment.
—Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposefully
Adverb
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Underneath, pair the oversized trench coat with the Automet Sweatpants and the Smeng Crewneck T-shirt, a combo that feels like loungewear but looks intentionally minimal once the coat is layered on top.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Sep. 2025
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Ogles’ congressional campaigns have relied significantly on door knocking and financial support from Americans for Prosperity Action, intentionally keeping a lean campaign staff while relying on the group’s support.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Such is the expectancy around Arsenal now, a 1-0 loss to a bewitching free kick, the kind of sudden inspiration that decides a close and claustrophobic game, hit the team hard.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
1 Sep. 2025
-
That’s hard on the receivers, the coaches, the play-caller, and the quarterback.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
1 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Apply your strengths deliberately.—
Gamze Acar Bayraktaroglu,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
First of all, bail was set pretty thoughtfully and deliberately by the original judge who took the case on at $3 million.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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The proposal entails a ceasefire during which Israeli forces redeploy to the lines specified in the Witkoff proposal, while humanitarian aid flows intensively to meet the basic needs of the population in Gaza.—
Becky Anderson,
CNN Money,
18 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Then again, the fan-favorite actor could be purposely playing coy as to the true nature of what the script states.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Severinsen wore purposely garish suits, turning himself into a character.—
Chris Almeida,
New Yorker,
31 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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All Dart can do now is continue to work diligently behind the scenes and wait for his number to be called.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
-
When one partner diligently models patience, the other is more likely to follow suit.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Meditation is intensely personal.—
Ann Pietrangelo,
Verywell Health,
4 Sep. 2025
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Additionally, the server market is intensely competitive and somewhat commoditized, which may hinder profit growth even if sales continue to rise.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
At one point, just before the golf cart crash, the mother was seen with the kids in a huddle, heads touching, praying very intently, according to Campbell.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
26 Aug. 2025
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Appearing over a video link from his prison in San Diego, Erik listened intently but appeared visibly shaken.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purposefully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposefully. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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