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
In this sense, history is not only rational but also providential: designed, purposive, teleological.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 25 May 2020
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
In this sense, history is not only rational but also providential: designed, purposive, teleological.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 25 May 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposive
Adjective
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Not by publishing randomly, but by following a deliberate editorial calendar, revisiting your core challenges, and ensuring each new piece of content connects to the larger arc of your thought leadership story.—
Rhea Wessel,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
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Amanda Edwards/WireImage Unlike luxury fashion or high-end accessories, where scarcity is often a deliberate strategy to generate buzz, products like jam and wine fall into the realm of everyday indulgences.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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Paloma Wool Originating in Barcelona, Paloma Wool specializes in conscious garments and accessories to be worn as an art form, where getting dressed is not just a necessity, but an expression of oneself.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
24 June 2025
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Much has been made about the conscious uncoupling of Devers and the Red Sox last Sunday.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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In recent days, the U.S. began pulling some diplomats from Iraq’s capital and offering voluntary evacuations for the families of U.S. troops in the wider Middle East.—
Christopher Bodeen,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2025
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Four trans service members who are now in the process of separating said nothing about their decisions feels voluntary at all.—
Jo Yurcaba,
NBC news,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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Each intentional interaction builds a lasting structure, or building block, within, strengthening emotional intelligence, resilience, clarity and empathy.—
Chris Schembra,
Rolling Stone,
26 June 2025
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But for him and many other faceless video creators, the tradeoffs are intentional.—
Kolawole Samuel Adebayo,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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However, in a complex system with multiple centers of power and influence, this approach encountered immediate resistance from other control figures like Marco Rubio and Kash Patel, ultimately fading away without achieving its intended purpose.—
Dr. Alex Gold,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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Christensen’s unique trick is also proof that a makeup product doesn’t have to just be used for its singular, intended purpose, which reminds us of Salma Hayek’s hack for covering gray hairs.—
Izzy Baskette,
People.com,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Lawson will play Sarah Silver, the strong willed and decisive Superintendent in the Boston Police Department who is Lena’s stepsister.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
2 June 2025
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Carnegie is convinced that sincerity is as easily willed as a ready smile and a memory for names.—
Ann Hulbert,
Harper's Magazine,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purposive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposive. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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