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intend

verb
in·tend | \in-ˈtend \
intended; intending; intends

Definition of intend 

transitive verb

1a : to have in mind as a purpose or goal : plan

b : to design for a specified use or future

2a : signify, mean

b : to refer to

3 : to direct the mind on

4 archaic : to proceed on (a course)

intransitive verb

archaic : set out, start

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Other Words from intend

intender noun

Synonyms for intend

Synonyms

aim, aspire, calculate, contemplate, design, look, mean, meditate, plan, propose, purport, purpose

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Examples of intend in a Sentence

I didn't intend any disrespect. We intended that she come with us.

Recent Examples on the Web

 The death penalty is intended for the worst of the worst killers, defense lawyer Samuel Halpern told a jury Friday morning. — Rafael Olmeda, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Final plea for mercy before jury weighs death penalty in murder of Broward deputy," 13 July 2018 That was intended to put downward pressure on the long end of the market. — WSJ, "Transcript: WSJ Interview With Cleveland Fed’s Loretta Mester," 13 July 2018 Its robot chef is intended to emulate a real one—not only in the quality of the meals, but also by being able to learn to cook almost any recipe. — The Economist, "The rise of the robochef," 12 July 2018 And all this with a price cut that is intended, in part, to attract the Encore clientele who have acquired a growing family. — Al Haas, Philly.com, "Refreshed for 2019, Buick Envision is roomy, comfortable, and quiet," 12 July 2018 The drug is intended to render the inmate unconscious. — Author: Ken Ritter, Michelle L. Price, Anchorage Daily News, "Execution blocked after company objects to use of its drug," 12 July 2018 The piece — the last of 16 flags displayed since November by the Spencer Museum of Art and KU's Commons at Spooner Hall — was intended as a call to end political division. — Katy Bergen, kansascity, "Public art or defaced flag? KU art series draws ire from governor, other politicians," 11 July 2018 Pompeo's visit last week was intended to begin more detailed negotiations to flesh out the details. — Fox News, "Trump says he's still confident Kim will denuclearize," 10 July 2018 The rebuilt route is intended to bring faster, more reliable service for Seattle-to-Portland trains, which currently take a scenic but slow waterfront path through Tacoma Narrows, mixed with freight trains. — Mike Lindblom, The Seattle Times, "‘Everybody hated that curve:’ Amtrak engineer told of worries before December crash south of Tacoma," 10 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of intend

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

History and Etymology for intend

Middle English entenden, intenden, from Anglo-French entendre, from Latin intendere to stretch out, direct, aim at, from in- + tendere to stretch — more at thin

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Dictionary Entries near intend

intempestive

in tempo

intemporal

intend

intendance

intendancy

intendant

Phrases Related to intend

as intended

Statistics for intend

Last Updated

9 Oct 2018

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for intend

The first known use of intend was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for intend

intend

verb

English Language Learners Definition of intend

: to plan or want to do (something) : to have (something) in your mind as a purpose or goal

: to plan for or want (someone or something) to do or be something

: to want (something that you control, provide, or have made) to be used for a particular purpose or by a particular person

See the full definition for intend in the English Language Learners Dictionary

intend

verb
in·tend | \in-ˈtend \
intended; intending

Kids Definition of intend

: to have in mind as a purpose or goal : plan I intend to do better next time. I didn't intend to hurt you.

intend

transitive verb
in·tend | \in-ˈtend \

Legal Definition of intend 

: to have in one's mind as a purpose or goal did not intend to kill her

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More from Merriam-Webster on intend

See words that rhyme with intend

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for intend

Spanish Central: Translation of intend

Nglish: Translation of intend for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of intend for Arabic Speakers

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