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
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
In this sense, history is not only rational but also providential: designed, purposive, teleological.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 25 May 2020
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
In this sense, history is not only rational but also providential: designed, purposive, teleological.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 25 May 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposive
Adjective
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The Great Replacement is a white nationalist conspiracy theory that claims there's a deliberate plot to replace white Americans with non-white immigrants through immigration and higher birth rates.—
Philippa Pham Hughes,
Time,
11 July 2025
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As Well As Talent In addition to local hiring and open-source opportunities, deliberate investment must be made in infrastructure, policy and support systems.—
Daniel Jebaraj,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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The two individuals were conscious when police arrived, while Tarpinian-Jachym was unconscious.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
3 July 2025
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But neighbors have raised concerns about whether the company will handle demolition in a safe and environmentally conscious way.—
Lily Carey,
Chicago Tribune,
3 July 2025
Adjective
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The program also focuses on ensuring participation remains voluntary and contingent upon parental consent.—
William A. Haseltine,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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On June 9, Alma Pak International LLC announced a voluntary recall of 400 boxes of its organic blueberries due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Again, all of those things could be inadvertent or intentional.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
8 July 2025
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One of the ways HR pros can help employees through this time, Smith said, is by training managers to be intentional and empathetic leaders.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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When Chan announced his company Changin’ Pictures’ plans for international and pan-Asian co-productions for streamers, this became his intended first series.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 June 2025
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The intended target, gang suspect Joseph Riley, lived nearby.—
Gabe Whisnant
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Lawson will play Sarah Silver, the strong willed and decisive Superintendent in the Boston Police Department who is Lena’s stepsister.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
2 June 2025
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Carnegie is convinced that sincerity is as easily willed as a ready smile and a memory for names.—
Ann Hulbert,
Harper's Magazine,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purposive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposive. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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