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
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My role is to ensure our liquidity levels and capital deployment remain intentional and deliberate.—
Alex Crippen,
CNBC,
1 Mar. 2026
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If that effort fails, prosecutors could seek to retry Garcia Torres on the murder charge, but they would not be allowed to rely on the prior kidnapping allegations or theories of willful, deliberate and premeditated murder, according to the ruling.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Nearly two-thirds of children detained by ICE were eventually deported, and almost 1 in 10 left the country when their parents accepted voluntary departure, according to an AP analysis of the latest comprehensive data.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
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Dave Jones, a former California insurance commissioner, opposed the exemption, arguing that the Department of Insurance’s climate disclosure program is described as voluntary and does not require full reporting of emissions.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Clearly, Epson is targeting a design-conscious user, competing more with lifestyle projectors like Samsung’s Freestyle canister flavors than traditional home theater projectors.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 Feb. 2026
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Democrats see an opportunity to steer the health-conscious movement back to their side.—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Keep surfaces clear and introduce one or two intentional visuals (such as a plant or piece of art) to create a sense of calm.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Mar. 2026
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Quick Wins for Your Living Space A couple of the remaining hacks are worth noting for anyone curating their space to feel more intentional and less chaotic.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The indictment alleges that false and fraudulent records were provided as part of the scheme, and that none of the money was used for the intended purpose.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
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Charlie McAvoy was there at center ice to pick it off, but the puck bounced off his stick blade and continued on its intended trajectory to Marchenko, who beat Korpisalo on a clean breakaway.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In addition to Marmee, there’s Aunt March who serves as an even stronger willed maternal figure for the March sisters.—
Amanda Favazza,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Purposive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposive. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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