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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Expository voids start to feel less like deliberate puzzles and more like messy oversights.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
24 Jan. 2025
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That is a tweak from when Dubravka deputised last season, suggesting a deliberate alteration, and the goalkeeper has looked far more assured because of it.—
Chris Waugh,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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However, the department's typical course of action is to negotiate voluntary settlements rather than pursue extreme measures such as revoking federal funding.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
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New laws could also formally require AI labs to share information with the U.K. government, replacing the voluntary agreements that currently exist.—
Billy Perrigo,
TIME,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
Adjective
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Three snaps after Daniels’ touchdown throw to McLaurin, Goff overthrew his intended target, and Martin intercepted it and took it to the end zone, putting the Commanders ahead 24-14.—
Larry Lage,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Jan. 2025
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Fixed: Sometimes, free kick passes were not hit towards the intended receiver if the receiver was moving too quickly.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Even more than his strong, octave-surfing Ontario accent, his willed congeniality—a mix of natural reserve and a morbid aversion to pretense—spoke to something in my bones.—
Michelle Orange,
Harper's Magazine,
14 Dec. 2023
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Read: The changing sound of male rage in rock music Underscoring his willed isolation is the fact that Fight Club intentionally seems to take place nowhere.—
Stephen Kearse,
The Atlantic,
15 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near purposive
Cite this Entry
“Purposive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposive. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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