premeditated

adjective

pre·​med·​i·​tat·​ed (ˌ)prē-ˈme-də-ˌtā-təd How to pronounce premeditated (audio)
Synonyms of premeditatednext
: 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.
He’s been charged with two counts of premeditated murder with a weapon, among other charges. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026 Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, is facing two counts of premeditated murder in the first degree with a weapon in the deaths of USF students Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Holly Ramer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026 Determining how the teen died took time, and after months of additional investigation, prosecutors announced charges against D4vd that allege her murder was a premeditated attempt to keep her from ruining his music career by exposing their underage relationship. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026 Jurors found Spann committed four premeditated murders as part of the racketeering conspiracy, including the killings of Rudy Rangel, Willie Woods, and George King in 200 and Maximillion McDaniel in 2000. Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“Premeditated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premeditated. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.

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

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