deliberate

[dih-lib-er-it, dih-lib-uh-reyt]

adjective

1. carefully weighed or considered; studied; intentional.

   a deliberate lie.

   Synonyms: willful, purposive, conscious
   Antonyms: accidental

2. characterized by deliberation or cautious consideration; careful or slow in deciding.

   Moving away from the city and all its advantages required a deliberate decision.

   Synonyms: cautious, circumspect, thoughtful, methodical
   Antonyms: rash, precipitate, impulsive

3. leisurely and steady in movement or action; slow and even; unhurried.

   moving with a deliberate step.

verb (used with object)

deliberated, deliberating 

1. to weigh in the mind; consider.

   to deliberate a question.

   Synonyms: ponder

verb (used without object)

deliberated, deliberating 

1. to think carefully or attentively; reflect.

   She deliberated for a long time before giving her decision.

   Synonyms: ruminate, cogitate

2. to consult or confer formally.

   The jury deliberated for three hours.

deliberate

adjective

1. carefully thought out in advance; planned; studied; intentional

   a deliberate insult

2. careful or unhurried in speech or action

   a deliberate pace

verb

1. to consider (something) deeply; ponder; think over

Other Word Forms

• deliberateness noun
• deliberator noun
• deliberately adverb
• nondeliberate adjective
• nondeliberateness noun
• overdeliberate adjective
• overdeliberateness noun
• predeliberate adjective
• quasi-deliberate adjective
• redeliberate verb
• undeliberate adjective
• undeliberateness noun
• undeliberating adjective
• undeliberatingly adverb
• well-deliberated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deliberate¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin dēlīberātus (past participle of dēlīberāre “to consider”), equivalent to dē- “from, away from” + līber(āre) “to balance, weigh” (derivative of lībra “balance, scales”) + -ātus past participle suffix; de-, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of deliberate¹

C15: from Latin dēlīberāre to consider well, from lībrāre to weigh, from lībra scales

Synonym Study

Deliberate, intentional, premeditated, voluntary refer to something not happening by chance. Deliberate is applied to what is done not hastily but with full realization of what one is doing: a deliberate attempt to evade justice. Intentional is applied to what is definitely intended or done on purpose: an intentional omission. Premeditated is applied to what has been planned in advance: a premeditated crime. Voluntary is applied to what is done by a definite exercise of the will and not because of outward pressures: a voluntary enlistment. See slow.

Example Sentences

The consequences for deliberate damage to a scheduled monument range from fines to a prison sentence.

From BBC

The UN report said the two groups targeted civilians in numerous ways and as deliberate strategies.

From BBC

It adds that interference occurs primarily near conflict zones as a by-product of military activity, rather than necessarily being a deliberate act.

From BBC

The hotel’s designers say the evocation of space travel was deliberate.

From Los Angeles Times

If her actions are found to be deliberate, then the fine would be 100% of the tax underpaid.

From BBC

Related Words

• calculated 
• careful 
• cautious 
• cold-blooded 
• conscious 
• meticulous 
• premeditated 
• prudent 
• purposeful 
• studious 
• thoughtful 
• willful