intentional

adjective

in·​ten·​tion·​al in-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: done by intention or design : intended

intentional damage

2

a

: of or relating to epistemological intention

b

: having external reference

intentionality

in-ˌten(t)-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

noun

Synonyms of intentional

• deliberate
• conscious
• voluntary
• intended

Choose the Right Synonym for intentional

voluntary, intentional, deliberate, willing mean done or brought about of one's own will.

voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion.

a voluntary confession

intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved.

the intentional concealment of vital information

deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences.

deliberate acts of sabotage

willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another.

willing obedience

Examples of intentional in a Sentence

an intentional and premeditated killing

I apologize for the omission of your name from the list. It was not intentional.

Recent Examples on the Web

Although the scene mirrors the Kylo and Ren dynamic of alluding to the eventual shift in their relationship, Scanlon isn’t certain that choice was intentional. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026

The ratings follows another tempest-in-a-teapot bit of You Can See Everything news on Thursday when a typo in the film’s official trailer went viral, with fans becoming convinced the confusing-looking error was intentional — until A24 fixed it. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026

The suit claims damages of false imprisonment, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026

An off-site location is not always necessary; intentional space is. — Angela Cusack, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for intentional

• attentional
• conventional
• dimensional
• extensional
• intensional
• interventional
• nonconventional
• nondimensional
• unconventional
• unintentional
• multidimensional
• unidimensional

Kids Definition

intentional

adjective

in·​ten·​tion·​al in-ˈtench-nəl 

-ˈten-chən-ᵊl

: done by intention : not accidental

intentionally

-ˈtench-nə-lē 

-ˈten-chən-ᵊl-ē

adverb

Legal Definition

intentional

adjective

in·​ten·​tion·​al in-ˈten-chə-nəl 

: done with intent

an intentional tort

intentional discrimination

intentionally adverb