1
: done or said in a way that is planned or intended : done or said on purpose
I don't think that was a mistake; I think it was deliberate. [=intentional]
a deliberate [=planned] attempt to trick people
2
: done or decided after careful thought
a deliberate choice/decision
3
: slow and careful
She spoke in a clear, deliberate manner/way.
He advocates a slow and deliberate approach to the problem.
deliberates; deliberated; deliberating
: to think about or discuss something very carefully in order to make a decision
The jury deliberated for two days before reaching a verdict.
They will deliberate the question.
—often + whether, what, etc.I've been deliberating [=debating] whether or not to accept the job offer.
Cite this Entry
“Deliberate.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/deliberate. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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