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.
Jones is charged with committing a premeditated murder and assault. Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026 In sentencing him, judge Shinichi Tanaka decried the premeditated nature of the crime. Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026 McKee, who is Monique Tepe's ex-husband, was arrested in the Chicago area 11 days after the killings and was charged with premeditated murder in the case. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026 He is being held without bail, facing charges of premeditated murder with a gun enhancement, enough to send him to prison for a sentence of 50 years to life if convicted. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Premeditated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premeditated. Accessed 28 Jan. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on premeditated

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!