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
purposefulness
noun
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
This is productive, purposeful fire.
—
Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 30 Dec. 2025
While the coffins weren't suspended on cliff faces, many were elevated on stilts and placed in hard-to-access caverns, again suggesting a purposeful and ceremonial ritual.
—New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
Some of the best journeys are long, purposeful walks that aren’t necessarily strenuous, but still offer spectacular views.
—The Editors, Outside, 25 Dec. 2025
Either way, there’s a shift from casual enjoyment to something that feels purposeful and rewarding.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purposeful
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 30 Dec. 2025
While the coffins weren't suspended on cliff faces, many were elevated on stilts and placed in hard-to-access caverns, again suggesting a purposeful and ceremonial ritual.
—New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
Some of the best journeys are long, purposeful walks that aren’t necessarily strenuous, but still offer spectacular views.
—The Editors, Outside, 25 Dec. 2025
Either way, there’s a shift from casual enjoyment to something that feels purposeful and rewarding.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purposeful
Cite this Entry
“Purposeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purposeful. Accessed 5 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share