well-intentioned

/ˌwel ɪnˈtenʃnd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌwel ɪnˈtenʃnd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌwel-in-ˈten(t)-shənd How to pronounce well-intentioned (audio)/ (ame, mw)

well-intentioned — adjective

1. meant to help or improve a situation, even though the result may be awkward, ine

1.形容詞B2
釋義

meant to help or improve a situation, even though the result may be awkward, ineffective, or harmful in ways nobody planned.

例句

The well-intentioned policy left small shops with more paperwork than before.

attributive: well-intentioned + policy

Amira's well-intentioned warning embarrassed her friend in front of the class.

同義詞
  • well-meaning

    closest everyday synonym; slightly less formal and often used for personal remarks or behaviour

  • kind

    more positive and broader; does not suggest the action may fail or create problems

  • thoughtful

    suggests careful attention to another person's needs, so it often sounds more successful

反義詞
  • malicious

    opposite in motive; intended to cause harm

  • callous

    shows little care for other people's feelings or difficulties

文法句型

well-intentioned + noun

be + well-intentioned

well-intentioned, but + clause

用法筆記

Often appears in discussions of advice, plans, policies, or public actions where the motive is good but the effect is disappointing. It is a little more formal than well-meaning and is common in news or policy writing.

常見錯誤

❌My aunt was well-intentioned to call every day.
✅My aunt was well-intentioned, but her daily calls felt intrusive.
💡'well-intentioned' describes the motive behind a person, action, or remark; it is not followed by an infinitive.
❌The machine is well-intentioned.
✅The engineer's well-intentioned design still caused problems.
💡use 'well-intentioned' for people, decisions, comments, or actions shaped by human intention, not for objects with no intention of their own.