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Synonyms

deliberation

American  
[dih-lib-uh-rey-shuhn] / dɪˌlɪb əˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. careful consideration before decision.

    Synonyms:
    forethought, reflection
  2. formal consultation or discussion.

  3. deliberate quality; leisureliness of movement or action; slowness.


deliberation British  
/ dɪˌlɪbəˈreɪʃən /

noun

  1. thoughtful, careful, or lengthy consideration

  2. (often plural) formal discussion and debate, as of a committee, jury, etc

  3. care, thoughtfulness, or absence of hurry, esp in movement or speech

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • nondeliberation noun
  • overdeliberation noun
  • predeliberation noun
  • redeliberation noun

Etymology

Origin of deliberation

1325–75; Middle English deliberacion < Latin dēlīberātiōn- (stem of dēlīberātiō ), equivalent to dēlīberāt ( us ) ( deliberate ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The case went to the jury on Dec. 12 after a month-long trial during which around 50 witnesses testified, though deliberations hit scheduling snags that lengthened the process.

From The Wall Street Journal

After days of deliberation and faced with a forecast getting soggier by the day, Santa Anita officials have decided to postpone opening day of the 2025-26 race meeting from Friday until Sunday, Dec. 28.

From Los Angeles Times

Writing about the U.N. deliberations on Iraq, Will gushed over Secretary of State Colin Powell’s supposedly sober, masterly and “unhistrionic” presentation.

From Salon

As recently as Tuesday evening, after the jury had begun deliberations, the lead attorneys from each side met but gained little traction toward a settlement.

From Los Angeles Times

But as extensive official records of pre-war deliberations became available to journalists and others in response to Freedom of Information Act requests, a different explanation emerged.

From Salon