deliberate

²de·lib·er·ate

adj \di-ˈli-bə-rət, -ˈlib-rət\

Definition of DELIBERATE

1

: characterized by or resulting from careful and thorough consideration <a deliberate decision>

2

: characterized by awareness of the consequences <deliberate falsehood>

3

: slow, unhurried, and steady as though allowing time for decision on each individual action involved <a deliberate pace>

— de·lib·er·ate·ly adverb

— de·lib·er·ate·ness noun

Examples of DELIBERATE

1. She spoke in a clear, deliberate manner.
2. He advocates a slow and deliberate approach to the problem.

Origin of DELIBERATE

Middle English, from Latin deliberatus, past participle of deliberare to consider carefully, perhaps alteration of *delibrare, from de- + libra scale, pound

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to DELIBERATE

Synonyms: advised, calculated, considered, knowing, measured, reasoned, studied, thoughtful, thought-out, weighed

Antonyms: casual, unadvised, uncalculated, unconsidered, unstudied

Related Words: aforethought, premeditated, prepense; educated, informed; intentional, purposeful; designed, intended, planned, projected; careful, meticulous; foresighted, forethoughtful, provident, prudent

Near Antonyms: half-cocked, ill-advised; chance, haphazard, hit-or-miss, random; aimless, desultory, purposeless; hasty, hurried, rushed; abrupt, impetuous, sudden; automatic, extemporaneous, impromptu, instinctive, spontaneous

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