DELIBERATE Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

deliberate 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈli-bə-rət

Definition of deliberate

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Under Ben-Gvir, Israeli police have increasingly allowed Jews to pray at the site, a deliberate provocation to the Arab world, drawing condemnation from Palestinian and Jordanian authorities. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026 Brisbane, Australia — The Australian lawmaker hit by a car in an allegedly deliberate attack has now had both legs amputated, her husband announced Wednesday. — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026

Verb

Jurors began deliberating shortly before midday after closing arguments Monday morning. — Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 Doe sent the letter through her attorneys to the Dean of Faculty and the Speaker of the Faculty Senate the day Cornell’s Faculty Senate met to deliberate a vote of No Confidence over Kotlikoff’s leadership. — Jason Carroll, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deliberate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deliberate

Adjective

Food and drink Food across the resort’s various restaurants is Greek and local but with a considered twist.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
And Moke was no longer a considered tropical cyclone after skirting Hawaii as a tropical storm, the center said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of considered

Adjective

Now, Tan-Gillespie is tasked with getting KFC’s American business back on track as the brand faces growing competition paired with more health-conscious and cash-strapped consumers.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
And while Kim tends to gravitate toward body-conscious silhouettes and plenty of skin, Kris has made a signature of sharp tailoring, statement accessories, and an unapologetic dose of flash.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of conscious

Verb

Article 39 also contemplates an Accountability and Care Committee that helps to develop injury-surveillance systems and conducts investigations.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Anyone contemplating retirement abroad should investigate insurance, emergency arrangements and the ability to pay upfront before making the move.

— Lance B. Fulford, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of contemplate

Adjective

Avoid Letting Emotion Override Investment Discipline The biggest gap is that entrepreneurs often take calculated risks in business, but emotional risks in their personal portfolios.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Knowing exactly what's going to happen in the sky turns a casual meteor watch into a rather more calculated exercise.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of calculated

Adjective

The work that the private sector does with it and its British counterpart is voluntary and not required by law.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026
The offer follows a voluntary retirement program announced at Microsoft this past spring and 4,800 jobs cut in July.

— Ian Thomas,Colleen McKown, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of voluntary

Verb

No one interested in pondering what looks like an intractably difficult conflict need turn their attention to Iran or Israel.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Newsom, in the podcast, appeared to already be considering them while pondering what to do next.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of ponder

Adjective

But that won’t keep them from trying, and when people’s passions are aroused, and emotions crowd out reasoned thought, anything can happen.

— Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 21 Oct. 2026
In layman’s terms, critical thinking is the ability to think independently by questioning claims, weighing evidence, and making reasoned judgments.

— Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of reasoned

Adjective

Increasingly, intentional isolation has replaced sightseeing at the top of the travel agenda.

— Luke Abrahams, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026
Evie Lanitis, for instance, was devoted to Qigong, the traditional Chinese practice that combines movement, meditation, and intentional breathing.

— D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of intentional

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“Deliberate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deliberate. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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