purposefully
Americanadverb
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in a determined or resolute way.
Many runners break down in the marathon’s second half, but I stayed positive as I painfully and purposefully placed one foot in front of the other.
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in a thoughtful and focused way, with a serious desire to accomplish something.
The Family Fun Cooking Classes are designed to educate, but more importantly, to encourage adults in our community to purposefully spend time with young people.
-
with intention; deliberately; purposely.
He maliciously and purposefully slammed the car door on my foot, resulting in a fracture.
Etymology
Origin of purposefully
Compare meaning
How does purposefully compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
When you do something in a determined or deliberate way, you do it purposefully. If you finished your brother's favorite cereal yesterday, he may purposefully shake the last of your favorite kind into his bowl this morning. Acting purposefully means doing something on purpose, or in a way that demonstrates your sense of resolve. Soldiers trudging purposefully into battle are determined and have their eyes wide open — they know what they're doing. If you purposefully avoid talking about politics with your family during the holidays, that means you intentionally steer clear of controversial topics.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"You don't leave things behind that you can still use, so why was this purposefully put into a pit?"
From Science Daily ● Aug. 22, 2026
Leon Cannizzaro, the New Orleans district attorney at the time, objected, telling the court that his office did not purposefully withhold any evidence.
From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2026
In “Bridgerton’s” fourth season, Benedict and Sophie’s outdoor ceremony is purposefully low-key.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
Anya says she used to wonder what would have happened if she had not stopped by the agency that day, but now she believes she was purposefully targeted.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
During those fifteen minutes before the next worship service, church folk would talk with one another, admire the babies, purposefully compliment and encourage the youth, and visit the restrooms.
From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
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