purposive

adjective

ˈpər-pə-siv How to pronounce purposive (audio)
Definition of purposivenext
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

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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 The character dimension of transcendence underpins purposive leadership by supplying the steady, renewable energy that allows leaders to act with intention rather than impulse. — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposive
  1. deliberate
  2. voluntary
  3. conscious
  4. intentional
  5. intended
  6. willed
Adjective
  • What The Band Has Done Well The pacing was patient, and that patience appears deliberate.
    — Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The encounter affirmed that things were falling into place, Lee said, adding that moments like that must be accompanied by deliberate and strategic work.
    — April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of deliberate
Adjective
  • Sullivan agreed to include instructions on voluntary manslaughter but not the Bowden charge.
    — Sumiko Corley, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Water cuts split states Under the new rules, four states – Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming – are allowed to implement voluntary water reductions instead of mandatory cuts.
    — James Powel, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of voluntary
Adjective
  • The usual crowd here, though, is the design-conscious traveler, along with couples looking for more character than the usual glass-tower Tokyo hotel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
  • As surgeons worked behind her ear, Peasley listened to the music and remained conscious throughout the procedure.
    — Marlee Ginter, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of conscious
Adjective
  • Authorities do not believe the incident was intentional, according to the release.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Success is the compound effect of intentional actions repeated over time.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of intentional
Adjective
  • Surrogacy agreements can include provisions addressing what happens if prenatal testing reveals a serious fetal abnormality, but those provisions do not necessarily give intended parents the power to force a surrogate to terminate a pregnancy.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • If Gluck has willingly conceded to the anti-erotic proclivities of his intended audience, Araki has, naturally, set out to defy them.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of intended
Adjective
  • Some of Thomas’s critique appeared to be aimed at weak-willed conservatives, including his fellow-Justices, for being, as Thomas perceives it, too spineless to stand up for the ideals enshrined in the Declaration.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
  • Meanwhile, gracious but iron-willed family matriarch Claudine works tirelessly behind the scenes to hush up family scandals.
    — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026
Definition of willed

Browse Nearby Words

purposing
purposive
purposively
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Cite this Entry

“Purposive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposive. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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