deliberate 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈli-bə-rət How to pronounce deliberate (audio)
Definition of deliberatenext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

deliberate

2 of 2

verb

di-ˈli-bə-ˌrāt How to pronounce deliberate (audio)
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Bukhara was a deliberate choice, the organizers said. —Dada Jovanovic, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2025 Just a glance but a deliberate one. —Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
B’Tselem’s Our Genocide report catalogued mass killings, deliberate infliction of life-destroying conditions, and evidence of intent. —Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025 In August 2024, per The New York Times, a jury convicted Lorincz of manslaughter after deliberating for only two hours. —Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deliberate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deliberate
  1. considered
  2. conscious
  3. contemplate
  4. calculated
  5. voluntary
  6. ponder
  7. intentional
  8. debate
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
Definition of considered
Adjective
  • The resulting formula is a gentle and effective cleanser with a host of benefits that have its eco-friendly suds making a splash within the beauty and environmentally-conscious household cleaning spaces alike.
    — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
  • This hotel, which appeals to budget-conscious travelers with its free aquarium and mermaid show, offers free self-parking and valet parking.
    — Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Definition of conscious
Verb
  • Hoover bounces back with a clean game, while Coach Prime contemplates making a quarterback change.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
  • In 2024, almost one in four Americans experienced mental illness, almost 18% had substance abuse problems and over 5% had contemplated suicide, according to the news release.
    — Ray Stern, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Definition of contemplate
Adjective
  • 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
  • The plea to the agencies is a calculated one, given the hotel’s reputation as a hot spot for A-listers and other media figures, as well as a popular event space.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Definition of calculated
Adjective
  • What to Know Several companies have issued voluntary recalls of shrimp products suspected of possible Cs-137 contamination.
    — Matt Cannon, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • What’s desperately needed, Sisti said, are comprehensive investments in mental health — Housing First programs, funding to build up a mental health care workforce, and an easily accessible and coordinated system of voluntary treatment that prevents people from deteriorating on the streets.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Definition of voluntary
Verb
  • Instead, the Mets are back to square one, pondering a new kind of disappointment.
    — Tim Britton, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Over a mashup of fiddles and guitars, Tod and Jennings blend their rough-hewn voices on a song about consequences for older vices and choices, pondering when the consequences of those actions outweigh the vices themselves.
    — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2025
Definition of ponder
Adjective
  • Whether her death was intentional or accidental remains unknown, but her heartbreak is unquestionable.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Moving from canvas to page was challenging, and deeply intentional, for Rosales.
    — Okla Jones, Essence, 3 Oct. 2025
Definition of intentional
Verb
  • On Sept 5, 2024, a year before his death, Charlie Kirk was debating at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
    — Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The effect is to infuse the story with an undeniable and knowing nostalgia; how quaint, at Alma’s party, to find everyone debating matters of representational consequence.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Definition of debate

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Cite this Entry

“Deliberate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deliberate. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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