premeditated

adjective

pre·​med·​i·​tat·​ed (ˌ)prē-ˈme-də-ˌtā-təd How to pronounce premeditated (audio)
: characterized by fully conscious willful intent and a measure of forethought and planning
premeditated murder
premeditatedly adverb

Examples of premeditated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Meanwhile, prosecutor Marcia Clark aimed to prove Bardo was guilty of premeditated murder. Alex Gurley, People.com, 18 July 2025 After four days of testimony, and two hours of deliberations, the jury found Conway guilty on all charges, except the premeditated murder and felony murder charges. Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 27 June 2025 Authorities have characterized the crime as premeditated and politically motivated, and the evidence is now at the center of upcoming court proceedings. Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025 The premeditated crime Maje convinced Salvador to carry out the murder. Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for premeditated

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of premeditated was in 1583

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Premeditated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premeditated. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

Legal Definition

premeditated

adjective
pre·​med·​i·​tat·​ed
: having been thought about at some point before being committed
any premeditated killing
also : having been formed prior to commission of the act
with premeditated malice
compare deliberate

More from Merriam-Webster on premeditated

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!