purposeful

adjective

ˈpər-pəs-fəl How to pronounce purposeful (audio)
Definition of purposefulnext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of purposeful Four round headlights give the little Fiat a surprisingly purposeful front fascia, while the wider stance gives it a whole lot more road presence. — New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2026 Even if your entry isn’t separated by walls or doors, adding something tall and eye-catching makes the space feel more welcoming and purposeful. — Natasha Bazika, Martha Stewart, 24 Sep. 2026 Others see the magnification of extinction worries as a purposeful distraction from immediate, real-world AI harms. — Jared Perlo, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2026 Whether destruction or technological progress, both are purposeful activities, each with different conceptions of success or failure. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for purposeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposeful
  1. resolute
  2. deliberate
  3. intent
  4. conscious
  5. determined
  6. voluntary
  7. decisive
  8. intentional
Adjective
  • And after October 7, opposition to the notion has become far more resolute.
    — Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Almost instantly, though, the resolute Mahomes was seizing the days to make his way back.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of resolute
Adjective
  • New consumer research suggests the shift is more deliberate, and more compatible with luxury growth, than early coverage implied.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Stop motion is such a deliberate practice, where every wrinkle is quite literally sculpted.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of deliberate
Adjective
  • French authorities are intent on preventing a repeat of recent violent unrest.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Conrad had no way of knowing that Hemingway was intent on avoiding him.
    — Stephen Bates, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of intent
Adjective
  • Now, Tan-Gillespie is tasked with getting KFC’s American business back on track as the brand faces growing competition paired with more health-conscious and cash-strapped consumers.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • And while Kim tends to gravitate toward body-conscious silhouettes and plenty of skin, Kris has made a signature of sharp tailoring, statement accessories, and an unapologetic dose of flash.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of conscious
Adjective
  • The overwhelming problem of plastic From flax that can be used in clothing and cars to robotic skimmers to stricter laws, determined researchers, activists and volunteers fight an industry intent on making more plastic.
    — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • That witness said Foss left a cellphone behind after their interaction, which was later determined to have belonged to Lussier.
    — Stephen Swanson, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of determined
Adjective
  • Yes, indeed, although voluntary export restraints raise a series of technical issues.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The voluntary settlement agreement does not require a monetary payment, and the university does not admit to any wrongdoing or liability.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of voluntary
Adjective
  • Brandon McElroy, who founded the nonprofit Green Air Solutions to lead the fight against J7, said in an interview that the denial was a decisive win.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Despite Paolo Banchero’s 35 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds against the Hawks, the Magic had 20 turnovers and shot 1-of-12 from 3-point range in the decisive fourth quarter.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of decisive
Adjective
  • Supreme Court justices will now consider whether a group claiming to be targeted by a race-neutral policy must show it was disproportionately harmed to prove intentional discrimination.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Election experts have said many instances of noncitizens registering to vote are a result of administrative error or confusion on the part of the immigrant — not intentional criminality.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of intentional

Browse Nearby Words

purposed
purposeful
purposefully
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Purposeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposeful. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All