on purpose

phrase

Synonyms of on purposenext
: by intent : intentionally
I knew they hadn't done it on purpose.

Examples of on purpose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Land managers are already using fire-scar data to decide when to ignite blazes on purpose. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Design that path on purpose, and your environment will guide you toward better choices without burning willpower. — Ben Meer, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026 Nazi counterintelligence was so brutal that the Germans couldn’t imagine enemy soldiers would want to get captured on purpose. — Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026 Test ​The discipline that used to be enforced by cost now has to be enforced on purpose. — Andrew Siemer, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for on purpose

Rhymes for on purpose

See All Rhymes for on purpose

Browse Nearby Words

on probation
on purpose
on-ramp
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“On purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20purpose. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on on purpose

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for on purpose

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 compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
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
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All