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purposefully

purposefully

31 3.9
To act in a determined way to reach a clear goal
  • adverb
  • /ˈpɜr.pəs.fəl.i/
translation icon : decididamente
  • He walked purposefully into the meeting, ready to present his ideas.
  • purposefully selected
  • communicate purposefully
  • purposefully chosen

We're sure you know the right thing to do and you're purposefully not doing it.

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Examples

  • The importance of these early literacy activities includes all aspects of communicating purposefully in real-world experiences.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Students also need to communicate effectively and purposefully in initial screening interviews.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Each of the leadership positions has been purposefully designed to meet standards for effective teacher leaders.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Indeed, this special double issue is purposefully crafted to engage our field in this question.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The teachers of each program and three purposefully selected students from each school supplied interview data.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Then the cops move calmly and purposefully towards the boys and arrest David.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • You purposefully withheld information concerning a case under my investigation.

  • First, the teacher provides an open-ended opportunity for students to interact with purposefully selected materials.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Accepting this responsibility means that the teacher purposefully chooses to pursue relationships with her students.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Teachers, parents, and students have alternatives to homework; they are deciding, purposefully, to reduce homework.

    Academic text (1994)

Synonyms

deliberately
vspurposefully
320 3.7

To do something on purpose and with care

stresses active resolve and a strong directed aim rather than just thought
on purpose
vspurposefully
254 1.6

By choice, not by accident

conveys that plus stronger resolve and purpose behind the act
intentionally
vspurposefully
155 3.1

In a way that someone does something on purpose, not by accident

shows more determination and focused aim beyond mere intent
consciously
vspurposefully
89 3.7

On purpose while fully aware of what you are doing

leans more toward visible determination and a clear aimed effort
purposely
vspurposefully
72 3.5

To do something on purpose

adds a stronger sense of resolve and determined action
willfully
vspurposefully
  • US
38 6.0

To do something on purpose, often to disobey rules

is similar but stresses clear aim and constructive determination rather than defiance
by design
vspurposefully
26 4.0

On purpose as part of a plan

focuses more on force of will and clear directed aim
resolutely
vspurposefully
14 4.4

In a firm and determined way without changing your mind

carries more emphasis on a clear directed aim alongside firmness
determinedly
vspurposefully
4 3.8

In a way that shows strong will to keep trying

focuses more on clear aim and purposeful direction rather than only resolve
wittingly
vspurposefully
4 7.5

In a way that shows you know what you are doing

places more weight on steady resolve rather than mere awareness
calculatedly
vspurposefully
1 6.8

In a planned, careful way to get a particular result

is more about determined action toward an aim than calculated planning
premeditatedly
vspurposefully
1 8.1

In a planned way before doing something

is less about prior planning and more about firm present resolve
designedly
vspurposefully
  • Formal
1 7.7

On purpose to say or do something

adds emphasis on firmness and determined movement toward a goal
determinately
vspurposefully
1 5.1

In a firm way, acting to reach a goal and not give up

highlights specific aim and purpose more than mere decisiveness
purposively
vspurposefully
6.5

In a way done on purpose

emphasizes firm aim plus determination rather than just having an end

Antonyms

24 3.7

Without a clear purpose, direction, or plan

1 4.2

In a way that shows someone cannot decide clearly

How Purposeful

deliberately
320 3.7
purposefully
31 3.9
casually
103 2.5
accidentally
354 1.4

Surface Forms

purposefully positive

Morphology

purposefully = purposeful (transparent) = purpose + ful + ly

The adjective 'purposeful' is transparently formed from 'purpose' + '-ful', and adding '-ly' yields an adverb meaning 'in a purposeful way'.

Etymology

Purposefully comes from purpose ('an aim' or 'intention') plus the ending -fully ('full of'). So it literally means 'full of purpose', which is why to do something purposefully is to act with a clear aim or 'on purpose'.