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
This year, after a fire sale at the trade deadline, the Bulls went from mediocre to putrid, which was a purposeful step down to ensure better odds in the upcoming draft lottery.
—
Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Wesp said raising awareness about domestic violence homicide is both painful and purposeful.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
But everything on the Ovvio menu is purposeful, Lalo said, and meant to blend American preferences with Italian dishes.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Players have to be purposeful with them because the hacks are also limited but can be refilled.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for purposeful
Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Wesp said raising awareness about domestic violence homicide is both painful and purposeful.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
But everything on the Ovvio menu is purposeful, Lalo said, and meant to blend American preferences with Italian dishes.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Players have to be purposeful with them because the hacks are also limited but can be refilled.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for purposeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposeful
Adjective
-
The Bucks County, Pennsylvania, grandmother, then 76, looked frail but resolute.—
Craig R. McCoy,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
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The Bucks County, Pennsylvania, grandmother, then 76, looked frail but resolute.—
Craig R. McCoy,
ProPublica,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The rational, deliberate part of their mind should be delighted.—
Jens Ludwig,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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The acceleration, Wasserman said, is deliberate and foundational.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Kansas City Chiefs, fresh off their first January at home in 11 years, were intent on rebuilding their defense.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
But authorities in Russia appear intent on embracing the country’s dark, totalitarian past.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Welch has positioned these changes as necessary to combat potential changes to the Voting Rights Act, amid ongoing legal uncertainty over how courts will treat race-conscious redistricting.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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The child, whose identity has not been disclosed, was reportedly conscious when responders arrived.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But thanks to one very determined dog, Delp’s draft day celebration is now famous for an entirely different reason.—
Sara Vallone,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Apr. 2026
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Delp, the 22-year-old former Georgia Bulldogs tight end was selected by the New Orleans Saints on April 24 during the third round of the NFL draft, and the video of that special moment has quickly gone viral — thanks in no small part to his pup’s determined quest for a seat.—
Sara Vallone,
Miami Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Russell was charged in state court with voluntary manslaughter and pleaded guilty, receiving a jail sentence and probation.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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Join others in voluntary efforts to keep ICE away from hospitals, schools, and shelters.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Zehavi doubted the proliferation of FPV drones would have a truly decisive impact on the war overall, comparing it to previous technological improvements Hezbollah has adopted.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Apr. 2026
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Only four have even pushed it to the decisive Game 7.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Alito said the focus of the Voting Rights Act must be to enforce the prohibition against intentional racial discrimination under the 15th Amendment to the Constitution.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) and Peloton are each working to make musculoskeletal wellness intentional, accessible, and routine.—
Bryan T. Kelly,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purposeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposeful. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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