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
-
The Clippers were resolute in the face of those challenges, with James Harden and Norman Powell combining for 73 points in an impressive 127-117 win over Milwaukee on Saturday at the Intuit Dome.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2025
-
The Prince Harry case was different For those watching at home, the settlement seemed like an unexpected about-face from the 40-year-old royal who had previously been so resolute about seeing the case through.—
Lauren Said-Moorhouse,
CNN,
24 Jan. 2025
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
-
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
-
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is intent on changing the script of American cities plagued by crime by implementing policy changes that have led to violent crime taking a tumble.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
Fox News,
28 Jan. 2025
-
The program is the latest target of Trump political appointees intent on reversing even the most workaday decisions made by their predecessors.—
Glenn Thrush,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The driver was still conscious and capable of talking to the police earlier in the day, but the broadcaster later reported that rescuers could no longer communicate with him.—
Arata Yamamoto,
NBC News,
28 Jan. 2025
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Castro is deftly conscious of the complicated space that Selena occupied, weaving in a narrative of assimilation to multiple cultures.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
27 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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
These words transformed fear into hope, showcasing the power of intentional communication.—
Alain Hunkins,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
-
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
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Cite this Entry
“Purposeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposeful. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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