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

The pattern of being competitive had been indubitably laid into the foundations of each AGI, either by default or by purposeful intent. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

Having concrete objectives transforms a no-buy from a restriction into a purposeful journey. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 17 Mar. 2025

Being generous is a purposeful act, a voluntary desire to spread largesse. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025

Harden was purposeful with his play in going 14-for-24 from the field, six-for-13 from three-point range and 16-for-20 from the free-throw line for a Clippers team that has been in a tailspin since the All-Star break. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1