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

Polling consistently shows Marylanders oppose partisan gerrymandering, with recent surveys finding as many as 80% of respondents viewing the deliberate redrawing of district lines to favor one party as a major problem for American democracy. — Yuripzy Morgan, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026 Weeks said credit card debt, gambling and bad credit scores were the most common things people admitted hiding from partners, and attributed the pattern to a fear of judgment rather than deliberate deception. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Municipal officials and staff still set the costs and constraints for a policy or program, and then residents deliberate, vote, and, crucially, get to see the winning projects actually built. — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 For makeup lovers, a blurred, soft-matte formula like YSL’s Lovenude delivers real pigment and can be buildable, from just-kissed to deliberate and bold. — Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deliberate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deliberate

Adjective

Others have a tight, considered design, especially the islands meant to highlight a specific weapon or gadget.

— Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 23 July 2026
Six others are still at large and considered fugitives, including a Caracas TV network mogul who was close to the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and his successor, Nicolás Maduro, who is being held in a New York jail on federal drug charges.

— Jay Weaver July 21, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026

Definition of considered

Adjective

The victim was conscious, breathing and talking when taken to Community Regional Medical Center.

— Bob Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Walmart's disappointing sales and Home Depot's strength among budget-conscious do-it-yourselfers indicate middle-class American consumers are growing more tight-fisted, even as wealthier shoppers have kept supporting luxury brands like Ralph Lauren.

— Juveria Tabassum, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of conscious

Verb

Earlier, writer-director Lanctôt won two prizes at Venice in 1984 for her first feature, Sonatine, about two teenage girls contemplating suicide.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026
The siblings may argue that the current transaction implements the type of sale that Jeanie and the trustees contemplated in the tag-along provision.

— Mirin Fader, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of contemplate

Adjective

State Medicaid programs have a parallel, voluntary pathway to adopt similar pricing under a model known as BALANCE.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
EmpCo prohibits companies from displaying voluntary sustainability labels unless they were established by a public authority or are based on a qualifying certification scheme.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of voluntary

Verb

While Tavares coach Gavin Jones ponders how to replace 18 transfer players heading into the season, just down Route 441, new Eustis coach Tanner Harris is pumping some energy into a program that has had four coaches in three years.

— Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026
Though not outright as conceptual as its predecessors, La Nueva Violencia leaves room to ponder celebrity overexposure and the mind-warping effects of the content age.

— Richard Villegas, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of ponder

Adjective

None are credible challengers; Matt Conroy is the more reasoned and moderate of the three.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
This is a time for cool, calm and reasoned debate, and for legislators to think through the consequences of legislation put forth.

— Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 2026

Definition of reasoned

Adjective

The line’s muddy browns, avocado greens and awkward proportions were intentional and used with precision to challenge more conventional ideas of beauty.

— Debbie Millman, Time, 18 Aug. 2026
The slow, intentional pace of tai chi paired with conscious breathing and present-moment awareness, Swanson says, also help release stress.

— Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of intentional

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“Deliberate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deliberate. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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