Definitions

on purpose

ADVERB

done of one's own free will

Synonyms

WEAK

after consideration by design calculatingly consciously deliberately designed freely in cold blood intentionally knowingly of one's own free will premeditatedly premeditatively purposefully purposely purposively voluntarily willfully with eyes wide open with full intent wittingly

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.

"Sometimes you have to realise that they're not doing it on purpose, they're not doing it to spite you," Claire added.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

Others theorized that Epstein was spelling incorrectly on purpose.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 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

If you’re trying to get excited about vegetables, give yourself permission to make them delicious on purpose.

From Salon • Feb. 18, 2026

In May, she made a triumphant flight on purpose into enemy territory and back.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein