Synonyms of intentional

intentional

adjective

in-ˈten(t)-shə-nᵊl 

as in deliberate

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

I'm fairly sure that your "accidental" cutting down of my rosebush was really intentional

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of intentional are deliberate, voluntary, and willing. While all these words mean "done or brought about of one's own will," intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved.

the intentional concealment of vital information

When is deliberate a more appropriate choice than intentional?

The words deliberate and intentional are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences.

deliberate acts of sabotage

In what contexts can voluntary take the place of intentional?

Although the words voluntary and intentional have much in common, voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion.

a voluntary confession

When could willing be used to replace intentional?

In some situations, the words willing and intentional are roughly equivalent. However, willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another.

willing obedience

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of intentional

Charles Leggett, 39, was convicted of first-degree intentional homicide with use of a dangerous weapon, and possession of a firearm while convicted of an out-of-state felony, for the fatal shooting of Jamil Owais, a 26-year-old Milwaukee man. —Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 30 Oct. 2025

At some point in extra innings of Game 3 when Ohtani looked to steal second base after one of his four intentional walks, the broadcast began talking about Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ famous game-changing steal for the Red Sox in Game 4 of the ‘04 ALCS. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025

And intentional neurodivergence can happen, for example, in people who meditate frequently or use psychedelics, Walker said. —Ayana Archie, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025

Franklin Bluelake pleaded guilty to intentional second-degree murder on June 25 in connection to the 2023 killing of Rhoda Morgan, 53, of Gardner, who was found dead in an Olathe hotel room, according to a Johnson County court document. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025