on purpose

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.

But, at this point, losing on purpose is so ingrained that players don’t always believe their competitors are doing their best.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

He says the creators are being "controversial on purpose" to generate more views, making him think it's "all a scheme" to make money.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

If a professional boxer loses a fight on purpose, it’s called a “dive” or “tanking” and it is illegal.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2026

NBA teams are increasingly losing games on purpose to improve their draft prospects and basketball must consider every possible remedy to stamp out deliberate "tanking," the league's chief said Saturday.

From Barron's • Feb. 14, 2026

“That was just a freak head butt. It wasn’t on purpose or nothin’.”

From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña