deliberate

deliberate — adjective

IPA/dɪˈlɪbərət/
KK[dɪlˈɪbɚət]IPA/dɪˈlɪbərət/
  • deliberatepositive
  • more deliberatecomparative
  • most deliberatesuperlative

1. done on purpose, especially when the action is harmful or wrong — not the result

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

done on purpose, especially when the action is harmful or wrong — not the result of an accident or mistake

Example

The fire at the warehouse was no accident — police say it was deliberate.

be deliberate — describing an event as intentional

Noor's comment was a deliberate attempt to upset her younger brother.

deliberate attempt + infinitive

Common collocations
  • deliberate attempt
  • deliberate act
  • deliberate choice
  • deliberate lie
  • deliberate strategy
Synonyms
  • intentional

    the closest synonym but more neutral in tone; does not carry the same negative connotation

  • calculated

    suggests cold, planned action with awareness of the harmful result

  • premeditated

    used mainly in legal contexts for crimes planned in advance

  • willful

    emphasizes stubborn determination to do something, often despite knowing it is wrong

Antonyms
  • accidental

    happening without anyone planning or intending it

  • unintentional

    not done on purpose, though it may still cause harm

Usage Note

This sense often describes negative actions such as lies, attacks, or deceptions. For neutral or positive actions done on purpose, 'intentional' or 'planned' may sound more natural.

Common Mistakes

She made a deliberate decision to study abroad.' (neutral/positive context — 'intentional' is more natural here)
She made a deliberate decision to hide the truth from her parents.
'deliberate' fits best when the action has a negative or morally questionable consequence.

2. done in a slow, steady way that shows care and attention at each step — not in a

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

done in a slow, steady way that shows care and attention at each step — not in a hurry

Example

The surgeon made a series of deliberate, steady cuts through the tissue.

deliberative, steady cuts — describing careful physical actions

Lara spoke in a slow, deliberate voice so the audience could follow every word.

slow, deliberate voice — describing careful speech

Common collocations
  • deliberate movements
  • deliberate pace
  • deliberate steps
  • deliberate manner
  • deliberate voice
Synonyms
  • measured

    suggests a controlled, regular pace that has been carefully judged

  • unhurried

    simpler word; emphasizes the lack of rush without the nuance of carefulness

  • purposeful

    suggests each movement has a clear goal behind it

Antonyms
  • hasty

    done too quickly, often causing mistakes

  • rushed

    done in a hurry, without enough care or attention

Usage Note

Only describes observable actions — movements, speech, physical processes. Unlike sense 1, this meaning has no negative connotation and is often used to praise someone's carefulness.

Common Mistakes

He was deliberate about his future plans.' (vague — this mixes senses 1 and 2)
He spoke in a deliberate manner, choosing each word with care.
use sense 2 for visible, careful actions or speech.

deliberate — verb

IPA/dɪˈlɪb.ə.reɪt/
KK[dɪlˈɪbɚət]IPA/dɪˈlɪb.ə.reɪt/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe actions done on purpose, but they differ in connotation and context. 'Intentional' is the most neutral and broadly useful — any action done with a purpose, good or bad, can be intentional. 'Deliberate' often carries a negative tone, implying the person knew the action was harmful and chose to do it anyway. 'Calculated' goes further, suggesting cold, patient planning with full awareness of the consequences. 'Premeditated' is primarily a legal term for crimes planned before they were committed. 'Willful' emphasizes stubborn determination and is often used for disobedience or defiance. For a neutral statement like 'She made an intentional effort to include everyone,' use 'intentional.' For a more critical tone, as in 'His deliberate lie cost the company millions,' choose 'deliberate.'

intentional ↗calculated ↗premeditatedwillful ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Phrases

  • with deliberate care
  • in a deliberate manner

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word comes from Latin 'deliberatus', the past participle of 'deliberare', meaning 'to weigh, consider, or balance'. 'Deliberare' itself is formed from the prefix 'de-' (thoroughly) plus 'librare' (to weigh), which comes from 'libra', the Latin word for a balance scale. The idea is of carefully weighing something on a scale before making a decision. The adjective sense (intentional) and verb sense (to think carefully) both entered English around the 1400s, but the 'slow and careful' adjective sense developed later, in the 1600s.