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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However, what is missed is that these moves are far more deliberate actions, part of a larger tactical pattern.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
13 Jan. 2026
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The shift is abrupt and deliberate, marking the threshold between Seminyak’s glorious disorder and the calm seclusion of the Oberoi Beach Resort, Bali.—
Arion McNicoll,
TheWeek,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The program was also voluntary — if residents saw fit just to throw all their recyclable glass and aluminum and paper into the regular garbage there was nothing stopping them from doing so.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
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But that doesn’t mean anyone took it easy on Sherrod, who always participated in voluntary class time.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Travel became more intentional, efficient, and cost-conscious.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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Given its ever relevant themes, the film seems overloaded with influences at times—conscious or not—including The Substance (2024), Raw (2016), the 2001 Smallville episode ‘Craving’, and believe it or not, even the 2019 Bob’s Burgers episode ‘Pig Trouble in Little Tina’.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Rebecca, also a senior, argued that schools allowed to graduate at Hard Rock Live tend to be in cities with higher median incomes and higher minority enrollment, calling the pattern intentional.—
Anna McAllister,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
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Stoics sought eudaimonia, a flourishing life rooted in virtue and intentional living, not fleeting enjoyment.—
Andrew Rosen,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Warning signs include difficulty cutting back despite wanting to, drinking more or longer than intended, spending a lot of time thinking about alcohol, neglecting responsibilities, or experiencing physical symptoms such as shaking, sweating, nausea or anxiety when not drinking.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
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And they should typically be capped at 10% of your overall portfolio to better allow stocks and bonds to grow as intended.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Toolson made his first five shots in the second half and almost willed TCU to a comeback by himself.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Jan. 2026
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It cannot be wished, willed or app-ified into existence.—
Chase Wilson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purposive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposive. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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