purposeful

adjective

pur·​pose·​ful ˈpər-pəs-fəl How to pronounce purposeful (audio)
1
: having a purpose: such as
a
: meaningful
purposeful activities
b
: intentional
purposeful ambiguity
2
: full of determination
was soft-spoken but purposeful
purposefully adverb
purposefulness noun

Examples of purposeful in a Sentence

a soft-spoken but purposeful criminal investigator there's a difference between a purposeful lie and an accidental untruth
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Instead, Dawkins’ story is one of methodical growth and purposeful evolution. Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 1 Feb. 2025 The film is often in lacking in such purposeful compositions. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025 The Patriots also interviewed Pep Hamilton and Byron Leftwich for their opening but were targeted and purposeful with their search and hired Vrabel less than a week after firing Jerod Mayo as head coach. Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2025 The school’s mission is to prepare students for college and purposeful lives that positively impact the world, the news release stated. News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for purposeful 

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of purposeful was in 1853

Dictionary Entries Near purposeful

Cite this Entry

“Purposeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purposeful. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

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