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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Insurance scams involving deliberate auto collisions have a long history.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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Leo is measured, deliberate and soft-spoken.—
Norah O'Donnell,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Both Vantor and Planet say that the decision to begin limiting imagery has been voluntary.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
10 Apr. 2026
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The honest answer may be that the Keynesian 15-hour workweek is coming—just not through voluntary corporate generosity.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But today, with the rise of semi-private airlines and new apps that simplify the booking experience, the industry has become more accessible for value-conscious, high-net-worth travelers.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Apr. 2026
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Goldhaber says the mask was a collaboration between himself, Montgomery and costume designer Lauren Bott, and hinged on a conscious limitation.—
William Earl,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Shohei Ohtani extended his streak of reaching base to 48 consecutive games with an intentional walk by Raley in the eighth.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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The lawsuit includes claims for battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But Wood, Mallis, and co-writer Weston Auburn satirize the subtle ways that aspiring filmmakers, programmers, and cinephiles talk to each other so effectively that the film should charm its intended audience.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2026
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One of the Vulcan’s solid rocket boosters, which are provided by Northrop Grumman, had a nozzle burn off on liftoff, although the powerful BE-4 engines of Vulcan’s first stage built by Blue Origin were able to get the rocket to its intended orbit.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Purposive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposive. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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