Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • With full purpose or design; of set purpose.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a purposeful manner.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb in a purposeful manner

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

purposeful +‎ -ly

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Examples

  • No one ever referred to these laws as euthenasia – until Sarah Palin purposefully lied to the American public in an effort to stir up anti-health care reform sentiment.

    Blue Dog: 'Excellent idea' to start over on health care reform 2009

  • He indulges in purposefully offensive material — violence, sex, bigotry — for its shock value, and he seems to have an active contempt for his readers.

    Kick-Ass: Creating the Comic, Making the Movie » Comics Worth Reading 2010

  • Ewe strides in purposefully, opens the fridge and stares.

    The Other Half Meme ewe are here 2007

  • She knowingly, willingly and purposefully is abandoning her child.

    Sound Politics: Darcy Burnocchio 2006

  • By the late winter he was (preten­tiously) chatting in German, purposefully bewildering us all, correcting our attempts to answer him, then con­soling our failures by telling us that he'd take care of us when we were 'over there.'

    The Hotel New Hampshire Irving, John, 1942- 1981

  • Drive, The Fumble and now The Betrayal, a word purposefully chosen by incensed Cavs owner

    SI.com 2010

  • Knowledge Networks also found that 56% of online streamers of full-length TV programs or movies are viewing "purposefully" - that is, heading to the computer with the intent to watch something specific.

    eMarketer Articles 2009

  • Knowledge Networks also found that 56% of online streamers of full-length TV programs or movies are viewing "purposefully" - that is, heading to the computer with the intent to watch something specific.

    eMarketer Articles 2009

  • Also, their politically expedient cynicism in purposefully manipulating the dysfunctional emotions of anti-science creationists, fanatic evangelical fundamentalists, ignorant hate-filled racists and every dysfunctional misanthropic segment of America’s lunatic fringe has made it impossible for them to articulate a cohesive or reasonable message that explains what today’s Republican Party stands for.

    Think Progress » Rep. McCotter complains that Obama ‘demonizes’ Wall Street and insurance companies. 2010

  • Also, their politically expedient cynicism in purposefully manipulating the dysfunctional emotions of anti-science creationists, fanatic evangelical fundamentalists, ignorant hate-filled racists and every dysfunctional misanthropic segment of America’s lunatic fringe has made it impossible for them to articulate a cohesive or reasonable message that explains what today’s Republican Party stands for.

    Think Progress » CNN poll: 47 percent of Americans want to repeal health care reform. 2010

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  • "The cat seems happy now it's been fed," said Tom purposefully.

    October 20, 2007