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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Example Sentences
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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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Both City and the Premier League claimed a victory after October’s initial ruling that found three aspects of the APTs were unlawful, most notably around the deliberate exclusion of shareholder loans, which is when a club borrows money from its ownership group, usually interest-free.—
Dan Sheldon,
The Athletic,
15 Feb. 2025
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The reality is this was a deliberate strategic provocation few will see or acknowledge.—
Ryan P. Burke,
Orlando Sentinel,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In public, Payne seemed conscious of his career’s shortcomings and was clear about his desire to achieve more as an artist.—
Federico Fahsbender,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2025
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Here are some tips for cultivating optimism: Challenge negative thoughts – Be conscious of pessimistic self-talk and actively replace it with positive alternatives.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Since the instruction is voluntary, and since the facility is provided and maintained by taxpayers, an inmate should have the freedom to seek religious counsel on prison grounds.—
Dan Miller,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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Participation in the club is voluntary, and students do not receive grades or academic credit for participation, according to the lawsuit.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Mishkin, however, rejected McDonough’s other claims for unlawful retaliation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
14 Feb. 2025
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Healing from past parenting mistakes is a process that starts with self-compassion and leads to self-awareness and intentional repair — with oneself and, when possible, your children.—
Lori Gottlieb,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The intended answer, 88 ounces, indicated that a programming or grading error had been made after the child had handed the paper over.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
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Chouest spent most of that period looking to unload the vessel after Shell, its intended user, walked away. Members who received money from Chouest pressured the Coast Guard to rent or buy the Aiviq from the company.—
McKenzie Funk,
ProPublica,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Even more than his strong, octave-surfing Ontario accent, his willed congeniality—a mix of natural reserve and a morbid aversion to pretense—spoke to something in my bones.—
Michelle Orange,
Harper's Magazine,
14 Dec. 2023
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Read: The changing sound of male rage in rock music Underscoring his willed isolation is the fact that Fight Club intentionally seems to take place nowhere.—
Stephen Kearse,
The Atlantic,
15 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near purposive
Cite this Entry
“Purposive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposive. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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