-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
unpremeditated
adjective
un·pre·med·i·tat·ed
ˌən-(ˌ)prē-ˈme-də-ˌtā-təd
: not characterized by willful intent and forethought : not planned in advance : not premeditated
unpremeditated murder
Synonyms
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
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share