1
as in resolute
fully committed to achieving a goal
a soft-spoken but purposeful criminal investigator
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Minimal white cabinetry provides a clean, functional backdrop that balances utility with quiet elegance, allowing the kitchen to feel both purposeful and serene.
—
Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2025
Let’s trade status quo comfort for purposeful stretch.
—Shelley Zalis, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
In other words, this was not a team that had purposeful possession.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Europe is highly interdependent with both the U.S. and China, and European leaders rightly see this entire dispute as a purposeful choice of Trump's, not Xi's.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purposeful
Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2025
Let’s trade status quo comfort for purposeful stretch.
—Shelley Zalis, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
In other words, this was not a team that had purposeful possession.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Europe is highly interdependent with both the U.S. and China, and European leaders rightly see this entire dispute as a purposeful choice of Trump's, not Xi's.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purposeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposeful
Adjective
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Neuharth was resolute about a reader-friendly approach.—
Caren Bohan,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
-
Despite his resolute disdain for the regime, at 14 years old he was required by law to join the Hitler Youth, a paramilitary organization.—
Gabriele Regalbuto,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Managers can help by normalizing those reactions and creating deliberate space for them.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
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In the careful selection of a pocket square, in the perfect dimple of a tie knot, in the deliberate shine of oxfords, these women continue a tradition of using style as both survival strategy and self-announcing act.—
Skylar Mitchell,
Essence,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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In the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, the Herons exited in the quarterfinals to a CF Monterrey squad that has decisively been the best in Concacaf competition over the last decade-and-a-half, and seem intent on showing it would not be supplanted easily.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
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This year’s Amazins seem intent on having a more relaxing stroll into October.—
Sam Settleman,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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The fact that Nicky is suddenly conscious enough to fly it right to its target is certainly questionable, though.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
2 May 2025
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The trouble is that prematurely assuming a chatbot is conscious could lead to all sorts of problems.—
Susan Schneider,
Scientific American,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
And if culture is the battlefield, Abdul Muhammad II is determined to win—not with force, but with wisdom.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
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Animal lovers have been left in stitches by a young German shepherd dog who discovered a spot of light on the floor and was determined to get to the bottom of it.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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At least 2,000 of the agency's roughly 6,100 full-time employees have either left or plan to leave under the waves of terminations and voluntary retirements ordered by Elon Musk’s Department of Governmental Efficiency, Coen told USA TODAY.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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Velazquez, 24, signed a plea deal in March for voluntary manslaughter and a gun enhancement.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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The Timberwolves were basking in the glow of this decisive victory over the league’s glamour franchise.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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Building trust and momentum early often makes the decisive difference between success and failure.—
Christoph Knitter,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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His collection, whether intentional or not, was a visual homage to ancestral African and Caribbean aesthetics, with natural materials and folkloric references woven into his designs.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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This could feel like a powerful release, so try your best to be intentional with your rituals.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purposeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposeful. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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