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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of purposeful
In contrast, this Nosferatu begins and ends with Ellen onscreen making decisions — impulsive and shortsighted, purposeful and wistful — about her own life.
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Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024
Even in seemingly simple products, like his candle collections and eyewear, Armani weaves magic, demonstrating his dedication to purposeful and intentional design.
—Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
United’s first two goals came from the type of calculated, purposeful pressing that has often seemed alien to this team: first through Bruno Fernandes intercepting a stray Forster pass, then through the type of relentless harrying of opponents that Amad is becoming known for.
—Mark Critchley, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024
All the adoration, the glamour, the high life was, for Callas, a purposeful life of bread and roses.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for purposeful 
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024
Even in seemingly simple products, like his candle collections and eyewear, Armani weaves magic, demonstrating his dedication to purposeful and intentional design.
—Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
United’s first two goals came from the type of calculated, purposeful pressing that has often seemed alien to this team: first through Bruno Fernandes intercepting a stray Forster pass, then through the type of relentless harrying of opponents that Amad is becoming known for.
—Mark Critchley, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024
All the adoration, the glamour, the high life was, for Callas, a purposeful life of bread and roses.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for purposeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposeful
Adjective
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After a young man is possessed in a séance by the spirits of kamikaze pilots: His usual rather weak features had taken on a manly, resolute look.Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
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This counts as revelatory for Schauffele, an admission of something other than resolute strength for a 31-year-old who walks the course with a confident swagger.Gabby Herzig, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The Pillars of Empowering Leadership Empowering leadership requires deliberate effort and a mindset that nurtures collaboration and growth.Brent Gleeson, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
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Baskin also set the final song to the same tune of the first — a deliberate callback.Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Olmo, however, appears intent on remaining in Catalonia.James McNicholas, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
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Photo : Kevin Mazur for Getty Images; Panerai Morris Chestnut in a Panerai Luminor Presenter and actor in the CBS series Watson, Morris Chestnut was intent on standing out at the big event in a cherry red suit, tie, and shirt.Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As an immigrant teen trying to assimilate when his family moved to New York, Stan badly wanted to fit in, but was deeply conscious of his ‘otherness’.Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2025
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His office said Netanyahu, 75, was in good condition and fully conscious after the conclusion of his prostate surgery.Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Thousands of miles away from their home in Philadelphia, Sara is determined to keep heading westward to meet Devin’s father in the California town of Crook Springs.Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 9 Jan. 2025
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But his usual determined and diligent work led to an August 2024 return with impressive results, albeit in a relief/opener role, where he was limited to two innings and didn’t throw more than 38 pitches in an outing.Marc Topkin, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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However, the department's typical course of action is to negotiate voluntary settlements rather than pursue extreme measures such as revoking federal funding.Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
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New laws could also formally require AI labs to share information with the U.K. government, replacing the voluntary agreements that currently exist.Billy Perrigo, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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On the decisive sequence, Cates barely won a race to the puck at the red line, chipped it in the air, batted it forward with his glove and then lifted a backhander past Bobrovsky with two Panthers bearing down on him from behind.Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025
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Protecting the Future The rise of Red Note demands action—not panic, but thoughtful, decisive measures to safeguard people and democratic principles.Jason Snyder, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This is why cultivating and strengthening intentional friendships is essential, and Meghan Watson, psychotherapist, agrees.Dominique Fluker, Essence, 9 Jan. 2025
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But with a few intentional whites and creams, our editors also prove that calming neutrals will never go out of style.Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Purposeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposeful. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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