Synonyms of intentional

intentional

adjective

in-ˈten(t)-shə-nᵊl 

as in deliberate

made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing

I'm fairly sure that your "accidental" cutting down of my rosebush was really intentional

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deliberate
• conscious
• voluntary
• intended
• willed
• willful
• purposeful
• purposive
• knowing
• planned
• witting
• calculated
• thoughtful
• designed
• premeditated
• optional
• reasoned
• set
• considered
• elective
• discretionary
• advised
• volunteer
• weighed
• studied
• measured
• premeditative
• prepense

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unintentional
• inadvertent
• accidental
• random
• incidental
• haphazard
• chance
• unwitting
• sudden
• purposeless
• aimless
• necessary
• abrupt
• impetuous
• nondeliberate
• desultory
• nonpurposive
• involuntary
• mandatory
• compulsory
• spontaneous
• hit-or-miss
• required
• forced
• obligatory
• casual
• instinctive
• impulsive
• ordered
• impromptu
• extemporaneous
• coerced
• nonelective
• unpremeditated
• unforced

Synonym Chooser

How is the word intentional different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of intentional are deliberate, voluntary, and willing. While all these words mean "done or brought about of one's own will," intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved.

the intentional concealment of vital information

When is deliberate a more appropriate choice than intentional?

The words deliberate and intentional are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences.

deliberate acts of sabotage

In what contexts can voluntary take the place of intentional?

Although the words voluntary and intentional have much in common, voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion.

a voluntary confession

When could willing be used to replace intentional?

In some situations, the words willing and intentional are roughly equivalent. However, willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another.

willing obedience

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of intentional

Rivera’s lawyer argued that Rivera had not targeted Diller and that the shooting was not intentional — a key factor prosecutors needed to prove to secure a first-degree murder conviction. —ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026

Jones, 23, is charged with multiple felonies, including first-degree intentional homicide, in Corder's death. —Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026

The bar stands as a testament to his intentional cultivation of friendships — without his friends, The Contrary wouldn't exist. —Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 31 Mar. 2026

Occasionally, the clock will stop rolling — and that’s intentional. —Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026