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
The character dimension of transcendence underpins purposive leadership by supplying the steady, renewable energy that allows leaders to act with intention rather than impulse.
—
Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
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.com, 28 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposive
Adjective
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Progress comes from clear thinking followed by deliberate movement.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
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When Manning began teaching in the early 1990s, communication between teachers and parents moved at a slower, more deliberate pace.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Both Vantor and Planet say that the decision to begin limiting imagery has been voluntary.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
10 Apr. 2026
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The honest answer may be that the Keynesian 15-hour workweek is coming—just not through voluntary corporate generosity.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The track announcer said that James was conscious and speaking with first responders.—
Jan Wagner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
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Boy landed on patch of mulch Worcester police said officers arrived within a minute and found the boy conscious, alert and breathing.—
Aaron Parseghian,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Limited production, self-distribution, and low visibility can all play a role, and without intentional effort to build demand and relationships, their wines can remain just as absent from local lists.—
Maryam Ahmed,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
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Pair that focal point with a restrained color palette — greens plus one or two accent colors — and the entire space begins to feel intentional rather than incidental.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The drug is generally safe and helpful when used as directed, with its intended effect lasting up to six hours, according to the American Addiction Centers.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
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While its intended purpose may have been division, the border offered unexpected safety for the community instead.—
Karen Gardiner,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Power scored an Ivy League tournament-record 44 points and hit a clutch, season-saving three-pointer with 2 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, and willed Pennsylvania to an 88-84 win in the conference title game on Sunday.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2026
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In addition to Marmee, there’s Aunt March who serves as an even stronger willed maternal figure for the March sisters.—
Amanda Favazza,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purposive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposive. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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