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.
State Attorney’s Office prosecutors originally charged Bradly Shawn Shadduck, 56, with second-degree murder, but the grand jury indictment supersedes that charge, and he is now being held without bond on premeditated murder. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 29 June 2026 Dubai police have charged George with premeditated murder. Frank Andrews, CBS News, 25 June 2026 Dusty Ray Spencer, 74, was convicted in 1992 of the premeditated murder of his wife, Karen Spencer, just outside of her west Orange County home earlier that year. Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2026 Hasan Akbar, a combat engineer who was convicted of premeditated murder and attempted murder for throwing grenades into tents and opening fire on fellow soldiers. Steve Beynon, ABC News, 6 June 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 Jun. 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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