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
Performance factors purposefully into the mix using soft, durable outdoor marine fabrics from Loro Piana, luxurious marine-grade leathers from Moore & Giles, sculptural plumbing fixtures from Dornbracht, and architectural hardware from Joseph Giles.
—
Kathleen Turner,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
It was purposefully and criminally done, and somebody had to work very hard, probably in the dark of night, to create such a condition.
—
Isabella Murray,
ABC News,
23 June 2026
Long known as the heroic outlaw who robs from the rich to give to the poor, Sarnoski’s revisionist take wasn’t purposefully trying to knock Robin Hood down a peg or cater to either political party’s preferred interpretation of the legendary figure.
—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
22 June 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,
17 June 2026
The mayor either accidentally or purposefully spilled the beans about at least part of the Kelce-Swift wedding being in New York during the Fourth of July weekend.
—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
The department also beefed up staff after Heuermann’s arrest, but purposefully did not assign any female correction officers to the unit, and no staff is allowed in unless authorized to work there.
—
Philip Marcelo,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
The Dolphins have already purposefully used Washington — and Tolbert — more so with Willis than the other quarterbacks in order to further build their rapport.
—
Miami Herald,
13 June 2026
Practicing one thing purposefully for a long period in a certain way can take even longer to reverse even for someone like Machado, who has had the same basic swing mechanics for more than a decade.
—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 June 2026
Kathleen Turner,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
It was purposefully and criminally done, and somebody had to work very hard, probably in the dark of night, to create such a condition.
—
Isabella Murray,
ABC News,
23 June 2026
Long known as the heroic outlaw who robs from the rich to give to the poor, Sarnoski’s revisionist take wasn’t purposefully trying to knock Robin Hood down a peg or cater to either political party’s preferred interpretation of the legendary figure.
—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
22 June 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,
17 June 2026
The mayor either accidentally or purposefully spilled the beans about at least part of the Kelce-Swift wedding being in New York during the Fourth of July weekend.
—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
The department also beefed up staff after Heuermann’s arrest, but purposefully did not assign any female correction officers to the unit, and no staff is allowed in unless authorized to work there.
—
Philip Marcelo,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
The Dolphins have already purposefully used Washington — and Tolbert — more so with Willis than the other quarterbacks in order to further build their rapport.
—
Miami Herald,
13 June 2026
Practicing one thing purposefully for a long period in a certain way can take even longer to reverse even for someone like Machado, who has had the same basic swing mechanics for more than a decade.
—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposefully
Adverb
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Aurora Fire Rescue says they are being investigated as intentionally set fires.
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In a 2024 podcast interview, Platner reportedly claimed that Kyle intentionally killed Iraqi civilians to inflate his sniper kill counts.
Adverb
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In heat waves, Aid stations could be hard-pressed to manage everyone affected.
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Add liquid ingredients and ice, seal and shake hard.
Adverb
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Boots were made to look deliberately disheveled, with tiny ladybirds across them.
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Israeli forces continue to commit genocide against Palestinians by deliberately targeting children in the Gaza Strip, an independent United Nations Commission of Inquiry has found.
Adverb
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One big concern is that screens are intensively stimulating for young people because they are held up close and engage young viewers with things such as fast cuts and colors.
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By the end of the seventeenth century, sassafras had become one of the primary exports of the early English colony of Jamestown, and the aromatic bark was harvested intensively for shipment to European markets.
Adverb
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The others purposely daw-dled on the short walk from Mathew Street to Whitechapel, stopping at both the two pubs that lay en route.
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Scrutiny into Miranda’s Rescue emerged last month after the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the facility in response to evidence uncovered by two local women that the owner of the rescue had allegedly purposely shot dogs on his property.
Adverb
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Just be sure to diligently shop around for accounts before making a decision, as even minor interest rate differences among banks can add up to substantial earnings differences over time.
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By updating ordinances in advance, and diligently collecting information about any data center proposals that are made, local officials and citizens can protect the best interests of their communities.
Adverb
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The high-profile races for governor and Congress are consuming almost all of Florida’s political oxygen, but Broward and Palm Beach counties are battlegrounds for some intensely competitive primary and general election contests for the state Senate and state House of Representatives.
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Research on decision making shows that people tend to feel potential losses more intensely than equivalent gains.
Adverb
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The peacocks continue to screech in the distance, while Charli leans on the railing and stares out intently at the Los Angeles skyline.
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Burke has pleaded not guilty and followed the Wednesday hearing intently, nodding along as the judge spoke.
Cite this Entry
“Purposefully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposefully. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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