purposive

adjective

ˈpər-pə-siv How to pronounce purposive (audio)
Definition of purposivenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposive
  1. deliberate
  2. voluntary
  3. conscious
  4. intentional
  5. intended
  6. willed
Adjective
  • Others are just as deliberate about avoiding the front lines, gravitating toward technical or support specialties where the likelihood of direct combat is lower, but translating those skills to a civilian job may be smoother.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Indeed, both candidates prefer the hard work of actually governing over performative posturing, modeling a deliberate rejection of the political fringes.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of deliberate
Adjective
  • State Medicaid programs have a parallel, voluntary pathway to adopt similar pricing under a model known as BALANCE.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • EmpCo prohibits companies from displaying voluntary sustainability labels unless they were established by a public authority or are based on a qualifying certification scheme.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of voluntary
Adjective
  • Sivan, meanwhile, makes the conscious decision to play a side character in his own song.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Of course, as scholars like Winters wrote, this kind of oligarchy-hiding-in-plain-sight was part of the package of modern oligarchy—a kind of conscious cloaking that helped these figures rise in the first place, without any kind of public pushback.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of conscious
Adjective
  • The line’s muddy browns, avocado greens and awkward proportions were intentional and used with precision to challenge more conventional ideas of beauty.
    — Debbie Millman, Time, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The slow, intentional pace of tai chi paired with conscious breathing and present-moment awareness, Swanson says, also help release stress.
    — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of intentional
Adjective
  • As the first feature film shot entirely with IMAX film cameras, the movie can be experienced at BFI IMAX in its intended presentation, screened from a rare IMAX 70mm print.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026
  • There's an intended fence on top of the K-rail; people will cut the K-rail.
    — Laurie Perez, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of intended
Adjective
  • Some of Thomas’s critique appeared to be aimed at weak-willed conservatives, including his fellow-Justices, for being, as Thomas perceives it, too spineless to stand up for the ideals enshrined in the Declaration.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
  • Meanwhile, gracious but iron-willed family matriarch Claudine works tirelessly behind the scenes to hush up family scandals.
    — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026
Definition of willed

Browse Nearby Words

purposing
purposive
purposively
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Cite this Entry

“Purposive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposive. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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