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
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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
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Choosing to slow decision-making processes and make deliberate moves can seem radical in a competitive business market, but this investment over time can result in significant changes with lasting effects.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
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While clutter implies disorganization or neglect, the messy girl look is a deliberate embrace of imperfection that still feels cozy and intentional.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Processing cheap rare earth is a nasty business using dangerous acid precursors that come with inherent risks, which bump up the prices of processing in the environmentally conscious West.—
Clem Chambers,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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The discovery triggered a kind of synaptic flooding, a wave of memory overwhelming its conscious embankment.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Viewers and listeners of PBS and NPR are significantly more affluent than the average American, which gives them the means to support public broadcasting through voluntary contributions.—
The Editors,
National Review,
14 July 2025
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On June 9, Alma Pak International LLC announced a voluntary recall of 400 boxes of its organic blueberries due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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For example, many industries are intentional about cultivating parasocial relationships, such as professional sports leagues with their athletes, music companies with their artists, and even political parties with their candidates.—
Eric Wood,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
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As the investigation continues, a growing body of evidence suggests the possibility that the crash was intentional, fueled debate over how pilots are screened, supported and monitored for mental health concerns.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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Coupling price transparency reforms with policies that address the abuses by contract pharmacies and ensure that 340B hospitals serve their intended purpose can rein in the 340B program materially improve drug affordability.—
Wayne Winegarden,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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But during the protracted legal wrangling the growth cap stayed in place — and served its intended purpose.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 July 2025
Adjective
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Connor McDavid almost single-handedly willed the Oilers to a comeback win in Game 1 with four points from the end of the second period onward.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
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The forward almost willed the Lions to the Final Four, averaging 35.0 points per game over four games.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purposive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposive. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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