PURPOSEFUL Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

purposeful

adjective

ˈpər-pəs-fəl

Definition of purposeful

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

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 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 But then so do Brentford, third in the xG table and inevitably full of purposeful running. — Duncan Alexander, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for purposeful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposeful

Adjective

Moreover, merely establishing credibility to act cannot necessarily overwhelm a resolute adversary, as has been borne out in Iran.

— Christopher Nichols, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026
According to biographer Anne Sebba, Simpson’s answer was resolute.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of resolute

Adjective

Secretary of State Marco Rubio also rejected Zelenskyy's claims that the disruptions to the system were deliberate.

— Kristin Wright, NPR, 18 Oct. 2026
In the lobby, the beams and columns join with such deliberate overelaborations as to mock the simplicity of the overall building.

— Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of deliberate

Adjective

Swayze died in 2009 of pancreatic cancer and Jacobson is intent on honoring the late star’s legacy with the sequel.

— J. Kim Murphy, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2026
Since 2021 the company has also been intent on strengthening its distribution channels and showrooms across Asia, Europe and North America.

— Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of intent

Adjective

Responding to the tough market, New York dealer Lauren Marinaro of Marinaro Gallery took a conscious decision to feature artworks under $10,000 from artists Ever Baldwin, Ridley Howard, Ron Isaacs, Ryan Johnson and Alessandro Teoldi.

— Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Something that truly was almost seen [as] conscious, which is very hard for someone like Olivia, who believes in Jesus and the Bible.

— Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of conscious

Adjective

If Bass’ vow to rule the same as before represents a decisive leader, more and more Angelenos seem to be saying, give us the Raman flood.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
By afternoon, the Moon trines Mars and your mind gets sharper and more decisive.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of decisive

Adjective

Standout pieces like the MTM Loafer and the Mary Jean are effortless ways to dress up a daily look, effortlessly blending comfort and intentional style with timeless appeal.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Last November, on twenty-two acres of traditional tribal territory, the Fond du Lac Band Fire Program led the first intentional burn in generations.

— M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of intentional

Browse Nearby Words

purposed

purposeful

purposefully

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Purposeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposeful. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of purposeful

adjective

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Synonyms of purposeful

adjective

Example Sentences

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Is it 'purposely' or 'purposefully'?

Cite this Entry

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