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

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
The Court reaffirmed that position in a subsequent case dealing with Alabama, after a lower court had found ample evidence of deliberate racial discrimination, as opposed to the discriminatory effect of the Louisiana map. Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026 Prosecutors said the travel was planned and deliberate, allowing the crimes to continue for years. Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026
Verb
The jury in that trial was unable to reach a verdict on the charge related to Mann and a mistrial was declared, as one juror refused to continue deliberating amid hostilities among their fellow jurors. Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026 Yes, the third branch of the US government just spent its time deliberating a legal question about our humble, underfollowed CEFs. Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for deliberate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deliberate
Adjective
  • The considered yes is not recklessness.
    Annette Logan-Parker, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
  • All of this was a considered response to European systems within which a tiny plutocracy had built power and control over land and people, especially through familial inheritance.
    Tyler Green, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
Adjective
  • Firefighters have declared the blaze knocked down but will stay on scene for flare-ups as demolition begins, while officials promise a health-conscious cleanup that minimizes impacts on surrounding residents.
    Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Anderson’s more low-key reveal could be chalked up to such factors as the union was her husband’s second, as well as the ongoing political unrest and cost-conscious consumers.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • To see why, readers need only contemplate the growth of wealth around the United States at all income levels.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • But Cox and other officials warned anyone contemplating attending the fireworks festivities not to bring drones – or face arrest and a $100,000 fine.
    Josh Meyer, USA Today, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • Designing a $53 million home without an owner may sound like a calculated act of extreme optimism.
    Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • The question now is whether Warsh’s début was an early show of independence, a calculated bet, or the start of a very short honeymoon.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • The reason is that the administration has shrunk the requirements for reports of immunization from states, changing the reports from mandated to voluntary.
    Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Without control of committee gavels — and the subpoena power that comes with them — legislative inquiries from the Hill minority generally rely on the voluntary compliance from their targets to produce documents or testimony.
    Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Plunkett, with the Norman Rockwell Museum, pondered whether Americans viewing the painting today would find a familiar feeling.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 25 June 2026
  • Season 2 continues this thread, and Hely pondered the sense of exhaustion about living in this corporate world.
    Kambole Campbell, Variety, 25 June 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
  • Tumpa, her nephew, and Oro Recovery were also all accused of intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and invasion of privacy by public disclosure of private facts.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
  • Under church law, the consecrations constitute a schismatic act, or an intentional rupture of the unity of the Catholic Church, and incur automatic excommunication for the four bishops and the bishop administering the consecration.
    ABC News, ABC News, 30 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Deliberate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deliberate. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.

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