unpremeditated

adjective

un·​pre·​med·​i·​tat·​ed ˌən-(ˌ)prē-ˈme-də-ˌtā-təd How to pronounce unpremeditated (audio)
: not characterized by willful intent and forethought : not planned in advance : not premeditated
unpremeditated murder

Examples of unpremeditated in a Sentence

an unpremeditated encounter with an old boyfriend an unpremeditated verbal attack that was prompted by an unexpected question at the press conference
Recent Examples on the Web Richmond initially was charged with unpremeditated murder, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. CBS News, 31 Jan. 2024 His determination to capture the naturalistic, unpremeditated aspects of his subjects made his work pulse with a startling sense of life. The New Yorker, 11 May 2022 Sanick Dela Cruz is charged with unpremeditated murder and making a false statement. CNN, 9 Mar. 2022 Rooney also resembled Hemingway—and Raymond Carver, a renovator of Hemingway’s minimalism whom Rooney has cited as an influence—in her ability to write dialogue that sounds unpremeditated but has a neutron-star density of drama and emotion. Caleb Crain, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2021 Colloquial speech sounds direct and unpremeditated. Washington Post, 9 July 2021 Although in cancel culture the moral panics are roving and unpremeditated, they can still be exploited for the benefit of the dominant class. New York Times, 3 Dec. 2020 Even the story behind her name encapsulates her seemingly unpremeditated, autonomous career moves, while also reflecting the tension between availability and evasion that animates her work. Emily J. Lordi Photographs By Liz Johnson Artur, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2020 If death is always trying to spirit Carol away, like a demon lover, and psychosis comes suddenly for Anna, like an unpremeditated assault, it’s life that grinds Bonnie down. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unpremeditated.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unpremeditated was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near unpremeditated

Cite this Entry

“Unpremeditated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unpremeditated. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Legal Definition

unpremeditated

adjective
un·​pre·​med·​i·​tat·​ed
ˌən-prē-ˈme-də-ˌtā-təd
: not premeditated
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