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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Now, faced with deliberate racial gerrymandering in other states and unchecked executive overreach at home, California must respond with equal determination.—
Trena Turner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
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Singer-songwriter Baby Rose stepped into a suite of Nina Simone songs, her voice—smoky, deliberate—pouring into the choreography.—
Skylar Mitchell,
Essence,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The resulting formula is a gentle and effective cleanser with a host of benefits that have its eco-friendly suds making a splash within the beauty and environmentally-conscious household cleaning spaces alike.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
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This hotel, which appeals to budget-conscious travelers with its free aquarium and mermaid show, offers free self-parking and valet parking.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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What to Know Several companies have issued voluntary recalls of shrimp products suspected of possible Cs-137 contamination.—
Matt Cannon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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What’s desperately needed, Sisti said, are comprehensive investments in mental health — Housing First programs, funding to build up a mental health care workforce, and an easily accessible and coordinated system of voluntary treatment that prevents people from deteriorating on the streets.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Whether her death was intentional or accidental remains unknown, but her heartbreak is unquestionable.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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Moving from canvas to page was challenging, and deeply intentional, for Rosales.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In the end, the strike had the opposite of its intended effect.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
4 Oct. 2025
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Its intended purpose is to help develop the nation's communications infrastructure and protect consumers’ equal access by promoting competition among communication companies.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Given no choice, María Ángeles acquiesces to her daughter’s wishes and moves into the seniors’ home, where a hilarious exchange with a hairdresser wanting to chop off her long silver tresses typifies her iron-willed refusal to settle in.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Purposive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposive. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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