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Antonyms for purposeful


Grammar : Adj
Spell : pur-puh s-fuh l
Phonetic Transcription : ˈpɜr pəs fəl



Definition of purposeful

Origin :
  • 1835, from purpose (n.) + -ful. Related: Purposefully.
  • adj resolved to do something
Example sentences :
  • He moved off with all the confident air of his simple, purposeful nature.
  • Extract from : « The Law-Breakers » by Ridgwell Cullum
  • It was the stubborn, purposeful character of the man that she admired, and thought most of.
  • Extract from : « The Night Riders » by Ridgwell Cullum
  • And he was cool, too; cool and self-contained; fearless and purposeful.
  • Extract from : « Scaramouche » by Rafael Sabatini
  • He accepted that feeling with a purposeful sternness, and tried to pass on.
  • Extract from : « Under Western Eyes » by Joseph Conrad
  • He, this man who had robbed me of my hard-working, purposeful existence.
  • Extract from : « Under Western Eyes » by Joseph Conrad
  • Instead, we find men weak where they should be most purposeful and brave.
  • Extract from : « The Arena » by Various
  • They can be modified, but only to a limited extent, by the purposeful efforts of men.
  • Extract from : « Folkways » by William Graham Sumner
  • There were weavings like the purposeful feints of boxers not yet come to battle.
  • Extract from : « The Aliens » by Murray Leinster
  • All his work is purposeful, conveying to his readers a moral lesson.
  • Extract from : « Harbor Tales Down North » by Norman Duncan
  • Purposeful activity is as natural to man as playing is to a kitten.
  • Extract from : « Progress and History » by Various

Synonyms for purposeful

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019