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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

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
Such experiences of deliberate deurbanization were politically formative. JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025 Everything was deliberate, crafted with great care, and infused with life. Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
When deliberating, the jury sent the judge three different notes about Hernandez's confessions. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2025 The judge declared a mistrial on the final charge, alleging Weinstein raped former actor Jessica Mann, after the jury foreperson declined to deliberate further. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deliberate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deliberate
Adjective
  • Maybe the slower, more considered pace of life is exactly what is required to create a more sustainable place, and a more sustainable future.
    Emma John, AFAR Media, 20 Aug. 2025
  • At a time where equality is treated as an imposition on the other, Claire’s careful and considered story feels more relevant than ever.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Budget-conscious shoppers who aren’t taxing the system with anything demanding ought to find that chip offers ample performance for everyday usability.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
  • His ample thoughts on the matter are informed by a lifetime spent in conscious retrospect on his accomplishments and how the perception of his relationship with them is shared publicly.
    Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But the old flivver was ticking along, reminding Drew of happy hours—leaning on opposing fenders under its hood with Lloyd, contemplating the Dart’s latest ailment.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Again, no more than one or two managers in every league should be contemplating late-season schedules and playoff matchups.
    Andy Behrens, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The calculated time to first dose of pain medication for individuals assigned ESI 2 was 65 minutes and the median time for those assigned ESI 3 was 178 minutes, with four of these patients leaving the ED without receiving pain medication after a wait of 349 minutes.
    Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The acquisition marked a calculated bet that, even as the NIL landscape evolves and consolidates within athletic departments, there’s still a place for third-party operators and agencies like Blueprint.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Rockets, who surprisingly finished second in the West behind Oklahoma City last season, were dealt a tough blow over the summer, though, when point guard Fred VanVleet was lost for the season to a torn ACL suffered during a voluntary workout.
    Joe Vardon, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Wegmans Food Markets issued a voluntary recall of six varieties of cheesecake on September 26 because of undeclared pecans.
    News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Athletic’s Mike Jones recently wondered if Miami had to go on a postseason run to save McDaniel’s job, and CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz pondered during the Chiefs-Raiders game whether there would soon be news out of Miami.
    Zac Jackson, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Charles Lee pondered his answer for a split second.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Deliberative democracy is the idea that decision-making and governance are arrived at through thoughtful, reasoned and respectful dialogue.
    Lee Bebout, The Conversation, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s still room for ‘modern meadows’ where more naturalistic, wild designs meet refined borders and simplicity—providing a little distinction helps each area of your garden feel more intentional.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The word ‘intentional’ is overused, and the act of being intentional is underutilized.
    Bo Howard, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deliberate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deliberate. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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