purposeful

adjective

pur·​pose·​ful ˈpər-pəs-fəl How to pronounce purposeful (audio)
1
: having a purpose: such as
a
: meaningful
purposeful activities
b
: intentional
purposeful ambiguity
2
: full of determination
was soft-spoken but purposeful
purposefully adverb
purposefulness noun

Examples of purposeful in a Sentence

a soft-spoken but purposeful criminal investigator there's a difference between a purposeful lie and an accidental untruth
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.
But the new album dips into a purposeful conversation about Black masculinity dating back centuries. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2024 That journey can be purposeful and controlled—as with the ISS. Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2024 The new presentation: The person who used to put together a 20-page report now only puts together a one-page summary in a deliberate and purposeful fashion. Keith Ferrazzi, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2024 Marina Nelson: Incorporating a skills or trade-centric approach aligns with current business model trends and Avon’s Strategic Goals, creating systemic and purposeful innovation opportunities to develop critical thinkers. Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for purposeful 

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of purposeful was in 1853

Dictionary Entries Near purposeful

Cite this Entry

“Purposeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purposeful. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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