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Purposeful vs Willful - What's the difference?

purposeful | willful |

As adjectives the difference between purposeful and willful

is that purposeful is having purpose; intentional while willful is done in a manner which was intended.

purposeful

English

(Purpose)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Having purpose; intentional.
  • Having a purpose in mind; resolute; determined.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=November 10 , author=Jeremy Wilson , title= England Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report , work=Telegraph citation , page= , passage=An utterly emphatic 5-0 victory was ultimately capped by two wonder strikes in the last two minutes from Aston Villa midfielder Gary Gardner. Before that, England had utterly dominated to take another purposeful stride towards the 2013 European Championship in Israel. They have already established a five-point buffer at the top of Group Eight. }}

    Synonyms

    * determined * nose to the grindstone * focused

    Derived terms

    * purposefully * purposefulness

    Related terms

    * purposive

    willful

    English

    Alternative forms

    *wilful

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Done in a manner which was intended.
  • Intentional.
  • *
  • Stubborn.
  • *
  • *
  • *

    • Synonyms

    * (as intended) volitional, voluntary * (stubborn) obstinate, self-willed, headstrong, spiteful