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View synonyms for purposive

purposive

[ pur-puh-siv ]

adjective

  1. having, showing, or acting with a purpose, intention, or design.
  2. adapted to a purpose or end.
  3. serving some purpose.
  4. determined; resolute.
  5. of or characteristic of purpose.


purposive

/ ˈpɜːpəsɪv /

adjective

  1. relating to, having, or indicating conscious intention
  2. serving a purpose; useful
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˈpurposiveness, noun
  • ˈpurposively, adverb
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Other Words From

  • purpos·ive·ly adverb
  • purpos·ive·ness noun
  • non·purpos·ive adjective
  • non·purpos·ive·ly adverb
  • non·purpos·ive·ness noun
  • pre·purpos·ive adjective
  • semi·purpos·ive adjective
  • semi·purpos·ive·ly adverb
  • semi·purpos·ive·ness noun
  • un·purpos·ive adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of purposive1

First recorded in 1850–55; purpose + -ive
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Example Sentences

We may have become nicer as individuals, but we’ve also become better at organizing and using purposive violence.

Will these ill-effects disappear with the realisation of the modern efforts for a purposive and deliberate sexual enlightenment?

The first act is thus for us, the thinkers, not a part of the causal events, but a purposive intention towards an ideal.

And now this may be said at once: the causal view only is the view of psychology; the purposive view lies outside of psychology.

No doubt in our daily life, our purposive interest and our causal interest may intertwine at any moment.

The purposive view of inner life ought not to be in question when the patient enters the doctor's office.

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