Synonyms of deliberate

deliberate 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈli-bə-rət 

1

as in considered

decided on as a result of careful thought

the judge made a deliberate decision to impose the maximum sentence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• considered
• calculated
• reasoned
• careful
• thoughtful
• planned
• advised
• studied
• weighed
• intended
• measured
• knowing
• thought-out
• premeditated
• intentional
• informed
• purposeful
• designed
• meticulous
• aforethought
• educated
• prudent
• prepense
• projected
• foresighted
• provident
• forethoughtful

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• casual
• random
• haphazard
• uncalculated
• unconsidered
• unstudied
• chance
• unadvised
• hasty
• aimless
• sudden
• purposeless
• desultory
• rushed
• hurried
• ill-advised
• spontaneous
• automatic
• abrupt
• instinctive
• impetuous
• hit-or-miss
• half-cocked
• impromptu
• extemporaneous

2

as in conscious

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

a deliberate act of vandalism that should not go unpunished

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

deliberate

2 of 2

verb

di-ˈli-bə-ˌrāt 

as in to contemplate

to give serious and careful thought to

the jury deliberated the case for three days before returning a verdict

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contemplate
• ponder
• debate
• consider
• entertain
• study
• question
• eye
• weigh
• explore
• review
• analyze
• chew on
• ruminate
• think (about or over)
• mull (over)
• cogitate
• look at
• meditate
• chew over
• revolve
• wrestle (with)
• pore (over)
• perpend
• kick around
• turn
• beat one's brains out (about)
• reflect (on or upon)
• cudgel one's brains (about)
• digest
• muse (upon)
• reason
• believe
• speculate (about)
• conclude
• reminisce
• fixate (on or upon)
• dwell (on or upon)
• second-guess
• brood (about or over)
• conceive
• fret (about or over)
• absorb
• opine
• obsess (about or over)
• assimilate
• drink (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slight
• ignore
• disregard
• overlook
• dismiss
• reject
• pooh-pooh

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

Recent Examples of deliberate

Adjective

There may also be a desire among decision makers to be more deliberate in defenestrations than during the MeToo era, when corporate cancellations were swift and arguably, in some cases, rash. —Claire Zillman, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2026

Best-practice transition periods typically span 2 to 4 years, allowing for deliberate preparation and continuity. —Thomas Good, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026

Verb

Pivotal took a slow and deliberate path to get here. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026

The jury deliberated for about four hours and 45 minutes and asked for access to several video exhibits. —Emerson Clarridge updated February 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026