deliberate

[ adjective dih-lib-er-it; verb 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)

, de·lib·er·at·ed, de·lib·er·at·ing.

1. to weigh in the mind; consider:

   to deliberate a question.

   Synonyms: ponder

verb (used without object)

, de·lib·er·at·ed, de·lib·er·at·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• deˈliberateness, noun
• deˈliberˌator, noun
• deˈliberately, adverb

Other Words From

• de·lib·er·ate·ly adverb
• de·lib·er·ate·ness noun
• de·lib·er·a·tor noun
• non·de·lib·er·ate adjective
• non·de·lib·er·ate·ness noun
• o·ver·de·lib·er·ate verb overdeliberated overdeliberating
• o·ver·de·lib·er·ate adjective
• o·ver·de·lib·er·ate·ness noun
• pre·de·lib·er·ate verb (used with object) predeliberated predeliberating
• pre·de·lib·er·ate adjective
• qua·si-de·lib·er·ate adjective
• re·de·lib·er·ate verb redeliberated redeliberating
• un·de·lib·er·ate adjective
• un·de·lib·er·ate·ness noun
• un·de·lib·er·at·ing adjective
• un·de·lib·er·at·ing·ly adverb
• well-de·lib·er·at·ed 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 jury of nine men and three women took 18 hours 45 minutes deliberating before returning the verdicts.

From BBC

Beauty was the configuration of my mother’s deliberate care.

From Los Angeles Times

There are no recognisable celebrities in the advert, something Charlotte Lock, customer director at John Lewis, told the BBC was deliberate.

From BBC

The country's solicitor general, Jorge Messias, condemned what he said was a deliberate attack and vowed a full investigation into the blasts would be launched.

From BBC

However, Mr Bailey said the prosecution's case was that Ms Riaz's injuries were caused by "sustained, persistent, deliberate, and intentional application of severe force".

From BBC

Related Words

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