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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Going the extra mile should be thoughtful and deliberate, creating a lasting impact without breaking the bank.—
Jacob Orrin,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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Investigators were left grasping at smoke, trying to make sense of a pattern that felt deliberate but remained elusive.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Alonso was conscious of this when speaking on Thursday in Spain.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
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Plus, the adjustable cinch waist is equally as flattering for hiking trails as navigating the style conscious streets of Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia.—
Siobhan Reid,
Travel + Leisure,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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These are also voluntary workouts, so no need to sound an alarm just yet.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
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The drills are still meant to be non-contact during the voluntary sessions.—
Thuc Nhi Nguyen,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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This underscores the urgent need for intentional rest practices that go beyond traditional vacation days.—
Jasmine Browley,
Essence,
2 June 2025
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The Bruins got singles from Savannah Pola and Jordan Woolery followed by an intentional walk to Grant.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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Under normal circumstances, detecting rashes in a small vaccine-safety study would represent a routine scientific setback, and prove that the trials served their intended purpose.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
31 May 2025
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Uncontrolled access to huge volumes of data and autonomy can compromise an organization's security when AI agents turn rogue and deviate from their intended purpose.—
Steve Durbin,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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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 10 Jun. 2025.
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