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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Understand who holds the greatest influence over promotion decisions in your organization and make a deliberate effort to be visible to them.—
Roberta Matuson,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Acutis' canonization marks a deliberate Vatican effort to present contemporary, relatable holy figures who can speak to younger generations about faith lived in the digital age.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This look is perfect for landing in a style-conscious city like Paris or Chicago and hitting the ground running without needing a quick change in the airport bathroom.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Sep. 2025
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As Americans grow increasingly more health-conscious, many are looking for substitutes for certain foods and additives that researchers have deemed less-than-stellar for your longterm health.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This has for decades been underpinned by voluntary pricing agreements — voluntary in the sense that non-voluntary terms would have been worse — between the industry and the NHS.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
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On August 22, Blue Bell Creameries announced a voluntary recall of its 64-ounce Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream due to the presence of undeclared nuts, which pose a risk to individuals with nut allergies.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Falwell sued for invasion of privacy, libel and intentional infliction of emotional distress.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
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Like most extended car warranty providers, CarShield excludes pre-existing conditions that existed before your warranty took effect, as well as damage resulting from poor maintenance, neglect or intentional abuse.—
Brian Sloan,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In the eight- and 16-bit era, the key art used in a game’s pack-in manual was more intended to stir the imagination.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
3 Sep. 2025
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Many more were maimed, and almost all the carnage was the direct and intended result of Iran’s nascent Axis.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Claiborne said the property was eventually willed to Vanderbilt University, which in turn sold it to the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County in 1968.—
Austin Hornbostel,
The Tennessean,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purposive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposive. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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