1
as in resolute
fully committed to achieving a goal
a soft-spoken but purposeful criminal investigator
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deliberate
made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing
there's a difference between a purposeful lie and an accidental untruth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of purposeful
These microscopic fragments of ancient plants were found beneath the floor of a Mayan ballcourt in present day Mexico and collecting them was likely purposeful.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 26 Dec. 2024
United has taken a purposeful tact in recent years to go after routes no one else flies, often to underserved destinations, and to me that’s a big win for travelers.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
This guidance can be used as a compass, directing us towards confident and purposeful strides in achieving our 2024 career goals.
—Essence, 2 Jan. 2025
The low cost and easy availability of quadcopters raise concerns that forces that do not adhere to the laws of armed conflict could use them in purposeful campaigns against civilians and civilian infrastructure.
—C.j. Chivers Robert Fass Krish Seenivasan Steven Szczesniak, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for purposeful 
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 26 Dec. 2024
United has taken a purposeful tact in recent years to go after routes no one else flies, often to underserved destinations, and to me that’s a big win for travelers.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
This guidance can be used as a compass, directing us towards confident and purposeful strides in achieving our 2024 career goals.
—Essence, 2 Jan. 2025
The low cost and easy availability of quadcopters raise concerns that forces that do not adhere to the laws of armed conflict could use them in purposeful campaigns against civilians and civilian infrastructure.
—C.j. Chivers Robert Fass Krish Seenivasan Steven Szczesniak, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for purposeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposeful
Adjective
-
In a statement the night the fire reached the Villa, a Getty Center and Getty Villa Museum spokesperson said the museum benefitted from resolute brush clearance and hearty, double-wall construction.—
Matteo Moschella,
NBC News,
12 Jan. 2025
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This means rejecting, with resolute conviction, the seductive allure of victimhood and its tacit relinquishment of personal agency.—
Richard Menger MD MPA,
Forbes,
22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Expository voids start to feel less like deliberate puzzles and more like messy oversights.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
24 Jan. 2025
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By embracing the concept of ethical efficiency—the deliberate integration of responsibility, fairness and care into our pursuit of productivity.—
Karlo Tanjuakio,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Even after landing Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges over the offseason, New York seems intent on adding more talent to their roster.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Jan. 2025
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Jaylen Brown seemed intent on putting pressure on the rim throughout the game.—
Jay King,
The Athletic,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
But there seems to be more of a conscious effort to slow down, and truly disconnect than ever before.—
Jeff Fromm,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
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This vivacious transit — igniting your socially conscious 11th house of friendship, community affairs and future aspirations — invites you to make new connections and focus on your long-term goals.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
But Jasmine was determined to have Stacey join in on the fun.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
21 Jan. 2025
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When will our incoming administration, controlled by greedy billionaires who are determined to divide the spoils for themselves, create yet another government agency that will be a perfect fit to help carry out their agenda? Eureka!—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But the idea of displacement, voluntary or otherwise, is horrifying to Jordan and Egypt and likely alarming to other Arab allies of the US, threatening decades of international consensus about the right of Palestinians to a homeland.—
Tim Lister,
CNN,
28 Jan. 2025
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In 1994, the N.C. Poultry Federation adopted voluntary guidelines that said poultry houses should not be built closer than 500 feet to an occupied residence.—
Ames Alexander,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Jeff Buckley’s life started with both an act of embrace and a decisive abandonment.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2025
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The Seahawks scored a decisive 43-8 win over the Denver Broncos to claim the franchise’s first Super Bowl title.—
Vic Tafur,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
This show is talking about God in a very real, intentional way.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
21 Jan. 2025
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This intentional choice suggests that his usual aggressive handshake is a conscious tactic rather than an unconscious habit.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
21 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to purposeful
Thesaurus Entries Near purposeful
Cite this Entry
“Purposeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposeful. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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