well-intentioned

adjective

well-in·​ten·​tioned ˌwel-in-ˈten(t)-shənd How to pronounce well-intentioned (audio)

Examples of well-intentioned in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Comments about another person's body or the food on their plate, which can negatively affect others no matter how well-intentioned. Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2023 Though the season 6 episodes feel painfully well-intentioned, Elizabeth Debicki is phenomenal as the doomed Princess of Wales The Crown is back for its final season. Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023 All these arguments are well-intentioned but are festooned with contradictions. C. Brandon Ogbunu, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2023 While well-intentioned, there’s no data on how effective these tools are in preventing people from developing gambling disorders. Rachel Epstein, Men's Health, 22 Aug. 2023 While these laws are well-intentioned, the data that companies share to comply with them is usually structured in a way that obfuscates crucial details that would expose harm. Surya Mattu, WIRED, 22 Aug. 2023 Many people seem unable to restrain themselves from asking inappropriate questions, however well-intentioned. Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 21 Aug. 2023 Some pols may be well-intentioned and others not, but Hawaiians suffering the shock of tragic devastation on West Maui may still want to make their own decisions on what to do with their own property. James Freeman, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2023 Trying to shield them from grief — theirs or family members’ — is well-intentioned but ultimately unhelpful. Jennifer Brookland, Detroit Free Press, 11 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'well-intentioned.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of well-intentioned was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near well-intentioned

Cite this Entry

“Well-intentioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/well-intentioned. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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