What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
intentionally
Example
He intentionally ignored her calls because he was upset. [intentionally: adverb]
Example
She acted intentionally to hurt his feelings. [intentionally: adjective]
purposefully
Example
She walked purposefully towards the finish line. [purposefully: adverb]
Example
He spoke purposefully, trying to convince the audience of his point. [purposefully: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Purposefully is more commonly used than intentionally in everyday language. Purposefully is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while intentionally is more commonly used in legal or moral contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between intentionally and purposefully?
Both intentionally and purposefully are formal words, but intentionally is more commonly used in legal or moral contexts, while purposefully is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
