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
The play finds its sharp arrows especially in the more purposeful second act, when Shekar’s work balances its laughs and messages to greater effect.
—
David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
This purposeful approach ensures the brand’s continued relevance while paying homage to the principles that have defined its enduring success.
—Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Similar to 2015, the Bears’ search feels purposeful after the team failed with Eberflus, who lacked previous head coaching experience.
—Adam Jahns, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
This isn’t like the climactic part of an adventure story, where purposeful cross-cutting between daring deeds builds suspense.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for purposeful 
David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
This purposeful approach ensures the brand’s continued relevance while paying homage to the principles that have defined its enduring success.
—Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Similar to 2015, the Bears’ search feels purposeful after the team failed with Eberflus, who lacked previous head coaching experience.
—Adam Jahns, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
This isn’t like the climactic part of an adventure story, where purposeful cross-cutting between daring deeds builds suspense.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025
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
-
There was a deliberate uncertainty about what had happened to it in Bristol.—
Nicola Twilley,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
-
This is deliberate to punish the best news desks at the Pentagon and replace them propagandist pro-regime actors.—
Mandy Taheri,
Newsweek,
1 Feb. 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
-
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
-
This isn’t a match the aristocracy would approve of, and sinister forces are determined to keep them apart.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
2 Feb. 2025
-
Jack Bech is determined to live that reality for himself and his other half.—
Christopher Kamrani,
The Athletic,
2 Feb. 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
-
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
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Jeff Buckley’s life started with both an act of embrace and a decisive abandonment.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
One is sluggish and emotional, while the other is intentional and full of movement.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
31 Jan. 2025
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This feeling of being lost is, in fact, an intentional and playful feature of the design, turning the cabin into a kind of cabin-finding game, where discovery is part of the adventure.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to purposeful
Thesaurus Entries Near purposeful
Cite this Entry
“Purposeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposeful. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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