as in deliberate
made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing
facial tics and other unconscious movements that one would not normally call purposive actions
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Recent Examples of purposive
Strengthening transcendence, with its associated behaviors of being purposive, inspired, optimistic, creative, and future-oriented, helps to broaden your perspective and see beyond the immediate challenges.
—
Mary Crossan, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
For Defoe, meaning is purposive and theological, purposive because theological.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2022
Sporadic outbursts of feeling are converted into purposive and unremitting activity.
—Aldous Huxley, Harper's Magazine, 17 Aug. 2021
Mary Crossan, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
For Defoe, meaning is purposive and theological, purposive because theological.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2022
Sporadic outbursts of feeling are converted into purposive and unremitting activity.
—Aldous Huxley, Harper's Magazine, 17 Aug. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposive
Adjective
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However, what is missed is that these moves are far more deliberate actions, part of a larger tactical pattern.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
13 Jan. 2026
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The shift is abrupt and deliberate, marking the threshold between Seminyak’s glorious disorder and the calm seclusion of the Oberoi Beach Resort, Bali.—
Arion McNicoll,
TheWeek,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The program was also voluntary — if residents saw fit just to throw all their recyclable glass and aluminum and paper into the regular garbage there was nothing stopping them from doing so.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
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But that doesn’t mean anyone took it easy on Sherrod, who always participated in voluntary class time.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In the end, these astrological narratives make 2026 a year of bold new beginnings and conscious leadership.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
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In a price-conscious consumer landscape, competitive discounts also captured attention in a significant way.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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That’s thanks to an intentional and methodical approach.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
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Displaying knickknacks on trays is one easy way to corral visual clutter, and sticking to a limited color palette throughout your home will make your other design choices look more intentional.—
Tessa Cooper,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In high-temperature molten environments, active cathode particles can dissolve into the electrolyte and migrate away from their intended sites.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
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Holden’s girlfriend had lived on the same street as the intended victim, who Holden resembled, village officials said.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Toolson made his first five shots in the second half and almost willed TCU to a comeback by himself.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Jan. 2026
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However, experts warn that while good-willed individuals have access to technology to track down thieves, criminals also have access.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purposive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposive. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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