purposeful

adjective

pur·​pose·​ful ˈpər-pəs-fəl 

1

: having a purpose: such as

a

: meaningful

purposeful activities

b

: intentional

purposeful ambiguity

2

: full of determination

was soft-spoken but purposeful

purposefully

ˈpər-pəs-fə-lē 

adverb

purposefulness noun

Synonyms

• bent (on or upon)
• bound
• decisive
• determined
• do-or-die
• firm
• hell-bent (on or upon)
• intent
• out
• resolute
• resolved
• set
• single-minded

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

In the world of social impact, where corporate responsibility intersects with purposeful leadership, Jeremy Brown has forged a unique path. —Afdhel Aziz, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Prosecutors said that about three minutes and 10 seconds into the video, Neely ceases all purposeful movement. —Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2024

More psychological study than devotional image, this work does not invite veneration so much as reflection on the actors’ motivations, anticipating later definitions of painting as a medium for pleasurable (rather than purposeful) contemplation. —Christian K. Kleinbub, ARTnews.com, 29 Oct. 2024

Now he’s arrived at its core, where each syllable is purposeful and every piano key is in its right place. —Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1