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
The character dimension of transcendence underpins purposive leadership by supplying the steady, renewable energy that allows leaders to act with intention rather than impulse.
—
Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
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
Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposive
Adjective
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That deliberate gratitude also trained them to notice all the positive things the other person was doing.—
Jelena Kecmanovic,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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Nearly all of the 62-second clip appears to be from a conservative video alleging deliberate tampering with voting machines in battleground states as 2020 votes were tallied.—
Bill Barrow,
Fortune,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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These funds support a voluntary return-home program in which returners receive a stipend for up to seven years.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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In fact, Lifetouch was the first school photography company to sign a voluntary and enforceable privacy pledge—reaffirming our deep commitment to protecting school communities.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In June 2023, the court held that race-conscious admissions programs violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, effectively curtailing the consideration of race in colleges nationwide.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Feb. 2026
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Cost-conscious travelers should note the airport is raising parking rates, including a 40% jump at the Daily Deck, to help fund safety, infrastructure and reliability upgrades, The Charlotte Observer reported.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This is where intentional framing matters.—
Ashley Herd,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
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It’s not explicitly confirmed, which is intentional.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Miller has noticed that many diners are following the intended model, stopping at several locations in one night.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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In January, when Elliott married Blake Murray, their officiant was the intended father.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Toolson made his first five shots in the second half and almost willed TCU to a comeback by himself.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Jan. 2026
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It cannot be wished, willed or app-ified into existence.—
Chase Wilson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purposive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposive. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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