deliberate 1 of 2

Definition of deliberatenext
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deliberate

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verb

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of deliberate are intentional, voluntary, and willing. While all these words mean "done or brought about of one's own will," deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences.

deliberate acts of sabotage

When is intentional a more appropriate choice than deliberate?

The meanings of intentional and deliberate largely overlap; however, intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved.

the intentional concealment of vital information

When is it sensible to use voluntary instead of deliberate?

In some situations, the words voluntary and deliberate are roughly equivalent. However, voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion.

a voluntary confession

Where would willing be a reasonable alternative to deliberate?

While the synonyms willing and deliberate are close in meaning, willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another.

willing obedience

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

Some common synonyms of deliberate are intentional, voluntary, and willing. While all these words mean "done or brought about of one's own will," deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences.

deliberate acts of sabotage

When is intentional a more appropriate choice than deliberate?

The meanings of intentional and deliberate largely overlap; however, intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved.

the intentional concealment of vital information

When is it sensible to use voluntary instead of deliberate?

In some situations, the words voluntary and deliberate are roughly equivalent. However, voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion.

a voluntary confession

Where would willing be a reasonable alternative to deliberate?

While the synonyms willing and deliberate are close in meaning, willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another.

willing obedience

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of deliberate
Adjective
Ali described Munir as a deliberate decision-maker. ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026 Response From Braden Peters’ Team A spokesperson for Peters defended the walkoff in a statement to People, framing it as a deliberate response to a line of questioning the influencer considered out of bounds. Ryan Brennan april 15, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
The jury began deliberating Friday. Adam Reiss, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026 According to the appeals court's 31-page ruling, the panel found that Carter had sent his judicial assistant to speak to the jury about a foreperson's note describing the jurors' concern that one of their colleagues did not speak English well enough to deliberate with the group. CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deliberate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deliberate
Adjective
  • Nussmeier considered entering last year’s draft but returned to LSU and had a nightmare season that ended with a November abdominal injury.
    Zac Jackson, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Credit scores, which impact people's ability and costs to borrow, typically range from 300 to 850, with around 670 and higher considered good.
    Annie Nova, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Welch has positioned these changes as necessary to combat potential changes to the Voting Rights Act, amid ongoing legal uncertainty over how courts will treat race-conscious redistricting.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The child, whose identity has not been disclosed, was reportedly conscious when responders arrived.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Zbur said future expansion would be based on its success in Santa Monica, and that such expansion is already contemplated.
    Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
  • As Jackson County officials contemplated what to call the state-of-the-art twin stadiums due to open in the early 1970s, one obvious name emerged.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The space agency arguably took a smart, calculated risk, though some experts vocally criticized the decision to fly.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 15 Apr. 2026
  • This was a calculated attempt to terrorize people because of their faith.
    Christa Swanson, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Russell was charged in state court with voluntary manslaughter and pleaded guilty, receiving a jail sentence and probation.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Join others in voluntary efforts to keep ICE away from hospitals, schools, and shelters.
    Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The medical drama's season 2 finale ended on a cliffhanger Thursday, April 16, with Wyle's character pondering a three-month sabbatical and a motorcycle ride across the country.
    Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
  • The philosopher Biggie Smalls once pondered the nature of dangerously escalating rivalries.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • None are credible challengers; Matt Conroy is the more reasoned and moderate of the three.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
  • This is a time for cool, calm and reasoned debate, and for legislators to think through the consequences of legislation put forth.
    Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Limited production, self-distribution, and low visibility can all play a role, and without intentional effort to build demand and relationships, their wines can remain just as absent from local lists.
    Maryam Ahmed, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Pair that focal point with a restrained color palette — greens plus one or two accent colors — and the entire space begins to feel intentional rather than incidental.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deliberate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deliberate. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

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