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Definitions

purposefully

[pur-puhs-fuh-lee] / ˈpɜr pəs fə li /
ADVERB
busily
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ardently assiduously carefully diligently eagerly earnestly energetically enthusiastically hastily hurriedly laboriously nimbly painstakingly restlessly vigorously
WEAK
agilely animatedly arduously briskly expeditiously fervently indefatigably industriously like all get out like the devil like the dickens perseveringly persistently seriously speedily spiritedly strenuously studiously unremittingly unweariedly vigilantly vivaciously zealously
Antonyms
WEAK
idly inactively quietly
ADVERB
firmly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adamantly decisively doggedly persistently resolutely staunchly steadfastly strictly stubbornly tenaciously
STRONG
unwaveringly
WEAK
constantly indefatigably intently obdurately obstinately perseveringly pertinaciously stolidly through thick and thin unchangeably with heavy hand
Antonyms
WEAK
changeably flexibly indefinitely movably waveringly weakly
ADVERB
on purpose
Synonyms
WEAK
after consideration by design calculatingly consciously deliberately designed freely in cold blood intentionally knowingly of one's own free will premeditatedly premeditatively purposely purposively voluntarily willfully with eyes wide open with full intent wittingly
ADVERB
seriously
Synonyms
STRONGEST
actively earnestly passionately sincerely vigorously
STRONG
gravely
WEAK
all joking aside cool it cut the comedy determinedly down fervently for real in all conscience in all seriousness in earnest intently resolutely sedately simmer down soberly solemnly sternly straighten out thoughtfully with a straight face with forethought with sobriety zealously
Antonyms
WEAK
casually funnily lightly minor trivially
ADVERB
vigorously
Synonyms
STRONGEST
actively boldly eagerly earnestly firmly forcefully healthily passionately quickly resolutely robustly sincerely strenuously wholeheartedly zealously
WEAK
decidedly devoutly fearlessly forcibly hardily powerfully stoutly vibrantly

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.

To visually represent the protagonist's mental breakdown without making the single-room setting feel static, Chuprina says that he purposefully changed the camera lenses as the story progressed.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

In their show notes, the designers described "mutations from within, visible to the exterior" as fabrics looked as if they had been purposefully eaten away or distressed, revealing hidden mysteries beneath.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

I am not sure that Ms. Moyer-Nocchi pursues the restorative-history agenda very purposefully or that the macaroni-and-cheese story is a good fit for such arguments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

I even went so far as to purposefully walk off with strangers or get lost in supermarkets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 27, 2026

The members of the horde watched the way he strode purposefully about.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques