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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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
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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
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That is all any conscious entity can ever hope to do.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
1 May 2026
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There is also more competition than ever in the restaurant space for health-conscious diners and protein-rich snacks and meals.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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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
Adjective
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Wojdyla said the intended effect of the exhibit is to show the differences in first-, second-, and third-class passenger accommodations.—
Gregory Harutunian,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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Like many of Hoover’s books, Verity was a veritable (pun intended) BookTok sensation.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Power scored an Ivy League tournament-record 44 points and hit a clutch, season-saving three-pointer with 2 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, and willed Pennsylvania to an 88-84 win in the conference title game on Sunday.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2026
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In addition to Marmee, there’s Aunt March who serves as an even stronger willed maternal figure for the March sisters.—
Amanda Favazza,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purposive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposive. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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