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

Preparation doesn’t require elaborate planning — small, intentional steps can make a meaningful difference. — Jennifer Durocher, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026

And the Rangers did exactly that Thursday, calling for an intentional walk when Caminero came up and got a first-pitch ball with runners on first and second with two outs — in the third inning. — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026

A week later against the Kansas City Chiefs, Hoecht tipped a pass — officials missed it and flagged Patrick Mahomes for intentional grounding — and one play later shared a sack with edge rusher Gregory Rousseau. — Tim Graham, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

So that change looks like intentional investment that directly benefits neighbors, such as a grocery store, reconnecting communities with proper sidewalks or some form of economic advancement for residents. — Dj Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 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