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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 purposive
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
In this sense, history is not only rational but also providential: designed, purposive, teleological.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 25 May 2020
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
In this sense, history is not only rational but also providential: designed, purposive, teleological.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 25 May 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposive
Adjective
-
Be deliberate about your communications with the federal agency and offer any questions and rebuttals in writing.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Many people have perceived his walking off set and the Instagram story as a deliberate snub.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
First responders arrived at the scene around 10:03 a.m. to find Joseph conscious and alert, the sheriff's office said.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Diplomatic and socially conscious, Mitchell chooses to keep the peace in his relationships, especially seeing both sides of an argument, just like Libra.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
What's Being Recalled And Why The voluntary recall was initiated by Cabot’s parent company, Agri-Mark, Inc., on March 26, 2025, after internal testing detected elevated levels of coliform bacteria.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
In the letter, DeJoy told lawmakers that the agency plans to cut 10,000 employees through voluntary early retirement efforts.—
Filip Timotija,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The key just lies in understanding proportions, mixing textures, and adding the right accessories to take a look from casual to more intentional.—
Ruhama Wolle,
Glamour,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Closing that gap across hierarchy and geography requires intentional and consistent communication from the CEO.—
Elizabeth Baskin,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
For now, the most exclusive address in American diplomacy stands empty, its intended resident sidelined by the tough math of congressional politics.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
-
An average dE of below 2 indicates color accurate enough that a casual observer may be unable to distinguish any variation between the color on screen and the intended (source) color.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Carnegie is convinced that sincerity is as easily willed as a ready smile and a memory for names.—
Ann Hulbert,
Harper's Magazine,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The entire texture of that life, its willed imposture.—
Joyce Carol Oates,
The New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purposive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposive. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share