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
As is the case with everything Kendrick Lamar does, especially throughout his beef with Drake, his Apple Music Super Bowl LIX halftime show included a few easter eggs and caused fans to theorize about other aspects of the show that may not have actually been so purposeful.
—
Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 10 Feb. 2025
Since retaking office, Trump has created so much purposeful chaos — including at federal agencies that are being gutted by the day — that journalists can barely keep up.
—Brian Stelter, CNN, 9 Feb. 2025
The current government’s purposeful misrepresentation and defamation of DEI in such a comprehensively cruel and malicious manner deserves nothing less than personal and communal outrage and resistance.
—Dr. Tony Lux, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
So Far Malita Picasso, a staff attorney for the ACLU LGBTQ & HIV Project, says the confusion around the policy is purposeful.
—Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purposeful
Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 10 Feb. 2025
Since retaking office, Trump has created so much purposeful chaos — including at federal agencies that are being gutted by the day — that journalists can barely keep up.
—Brian Stelter, CNN, 9 Feb. 2025
The current government’s purposeful misrepresentation and defamation of DEI in such a comprehensively cruel and malicious manner deserves nothing less than personal and communal outrage and resistance.
—Dr. Tony Lux, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
So Far Malita Picasso, a staff attorney for the ACLU LGBTQ & HIV Project, says the confusion around the policy is purposeful.
—Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purposeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposeful
Adjective
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Allen learned on the job from Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen at The Row, who have always been resolute about doing things their own way.—
Nicole Phelps,
Vogue,
6 Feb. 2025
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The resolute horse nudges the keg forward across challenging terrain and is unwavering in the desire to achieve the goal of delivering the keg of Budweiser beer.—
Todd Holmes,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The surprise that followed was more insidious: a slow and deliberate betrayal in court.—
Dylan Moore,
National Review,
1 Mar. 2025
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This condition is what philosopher Charles Mills, speaking of the American context, labeled epistemological ignorance—a deliberate unknowing, an insistence on the myth of white superiority, of white exceptionalism.—
Christine Winter,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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As the Trump administration works to dramatically and quickly downsize large swaths of the executive branch, Democrats have been seeking guardrails on Mr. Trump's ability to withhold funding approved by Congress and are intent on including language in the funding measure.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2025
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But in his joint address to Congress on Tuesday night, Trump seemed intent on pushing forward with tariffs.—
Josh Boak,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Your subconscious mind processes thousands of data points your conscious mind doesn't register.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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Parade Budget conscious shoppers will find solace in the affordable price point and top-notch bra designs at Parade.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The determined toddler finally made his way across the driveway toward the house, but another challenge awaited — climbing the stairs.—
Lydia Patrick,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
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My gallerist is walking rapidly toward us with a very determined expression.—
Anelise Chen,
The Atlantic,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Some bar owners had expressed concerns the program would be mandatory or would be used as a cudgel by the city to force changes to their businesses, but Alldredge stressed the program would be voluntary and would largely consist of things bars and restaurants already do.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Mar. 2025
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Participation is voluntary, and patients can opt out at any time.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Organizations that embrace this shift—leveraging freelance platforms as integral extensions of their workforce and using AI as the connective tissue—will gain a decisive edge in innovation, agility, and speed.—
John Winsor,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
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Brown assisted on Horford’s decisive layup and blocked two shots in the fourth quarter, helping offset his 0-for-5 shooting over the final 17 minutes.—
Zack Cox,
Hartford Courant,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Whether the timing of the broadcast was intentional or not, Knauf was cautious in his wording about his time working with the Sussexes.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
Fox News,
26 Feb. 2025
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Replay assist was used in 2024 to pick up flags thrown for roughing the passer (contact with head/neck), unnecessary roughness (runner out of bounds), intentional grounding and ineligible player downfield.—
Rob Maaddi,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to purposeful
Cite this Entry
“Purposeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposeful. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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