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
-
Their transitions were clear, deliberate, and respectful of the broader organization.—
Paul Hardart,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
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But Menjívar dismisses the idea that his appointment is a deliberate provocation for the US president.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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The Olathe district approved a voluntary resolution agreement at its Board of Education meeting Thursday, and the superintendent signed it Friday.—
Kendrick Calfee
May 9,
Kansas City Star,
9 May 2026
-
Angela Onduto, 47, pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the 2009 drowning death of her own daughter, posthumously named Matea Esperanza by the police agency that investigated her.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
Adjective
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Instead, the decision should be seen as part of our larger national debate over whether, outside the most egregious cases, there is a role for race-conscious remedies in our continuing effort to build a more just society.—
Stephen L. Carter,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
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To take plants seriously as living, breathing, conscious, and communicative beings, the movie suggests, requires a measure of time, an embrace of solitude, and a retreat from the hectic anxieties of the modern world.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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The variety of makers, dealers, and products on-hand was very much intentional.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
13 May 2026
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Despite the criticism, DNC national finance co-chair Chris Lowe said the cash disparity is the result of an intentional strategy Martin outlined when running for chair and has executed since taking over the building.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Terrorizing communities of color is an intended consequence of ICE’s policies, not an accident.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
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There must be a reasonable chance of achieving the intended objective.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Sorokin had a brilliant season that nearly willed the Islanders into the playoffs.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Purposive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposive. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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