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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Officials have yet to determine whether the explosion was accidental or deliberate.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
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It should be said that the NTSB — the National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the cause(s) of the crash — takes a very deliberate approach.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Although the positions are voluntary, state law does not prohibit board members from setting compensation for themselves once appointed.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Nov. 2025
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The market for voluntary carbon offset and removal credits has been struggling for the last several years to repair a reputation sullied by numerous greenwashing scandals.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Even calling it a magazine is a conscious way of trying to distinguish the work producers are putting months and months of effort into recording and writing from what podcasting has become.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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And while an uncertain economy and ever-skyrocketing cost of living are making people more price-conscious and wary, Razavi explained that this also opens up the possibilities for growth as consumers are now more open to other shopping avenues.—
Kanika Talwar,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Apartheid refers to something deliberate and intentional rather than a natural occurrence.—
April Quevedo,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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And that double entendre wasn’t even intentional.—
Alex Ross,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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It was knocked away in the end zone and kicked by Nebraska receiver Shevin Wiggins, the intended receiver.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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The results can be especially bad if there is bright light behind the intended subject, which produces a silhouette effect.—
Jan Wagner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Given no choice, María Ángeles acquiesces to her daughter’s wishes and moves into the seniors’ home, where a hilarious exchange with a hairdresser wanting to chop off her long silver tresses typifies her iron-willed refusal to settle in.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
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Parker will play Mary Washington, George’s strong willed mother, while Rodgers will play Sally Cary, the charming beauty of the Virginia gentry who first sees his potential.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purposive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposive. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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