intentional

adjective

in-ˈten(t)-shə-nᵊl How to pronounce intentional (audio)
Definition of intentionalnext
as in deliberate
made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing I'm fairly sure that your "accidental" cutting down of my rosebush was really intentional

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word intentional different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of intentional are deliberate, voluntary, and willing. While all these words mean "done or brought about of one's own will," intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved.

the intentional concealment of vital information

When is deliberate a more appropriate choice than intentional?

The words deliberate and intentional are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences.

deliberate acts of sabotage

In what contexts can voluntary take the place of intentional?

Although the words voluntary and intentional have much in common, voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion.

a voluntary confession

When could willing be used to replace intentional?

In some situations, the words willing and intentional are roughly equivalent. However, 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 intentional The episode casts a spotlight on a tree implicated in thousands of deaths across history—many of which were intentional. —Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 30 May 2025 After a one-out intentional walk to Lance Berkman, Jeff Kent teed off on Jason Isringhausen’s first pitch, sending it to the train tracks in left field. —Tim Britton, New York Times, 30 May 2025 But Dhillon said the Biden administration wrongly attributed disparities in the treatment of racial minorities with intentional discrimination. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 22 May 2025 Cultivate ‘Living Intelligence’ Through Curiosity This requires intentional practice in balancing the tension between predictability and possibility. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for intentional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intentional
  1. deliberate
  2. conscious
  3. voluntary
  4. intended
Adjective
  • Going the extra mile should be thoughtful and deliberate, creating a lasting impact without breaking the bank.
    — Jacob Orrin, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • Investigators were left grasping at smoke, trying to make sense of a pattern that felt deliberate but remained elusive.
    — JP Mangalindan, Time, 4 June 2025
Definition of deliberate
Adjective
  • Alonso was conscious of this when speaking on Thursday in Spain.
    — Luke Smith, New York Times, 31 May 2025
  • Plus, the adjustable cinch waist is equally as flattering for hiking trails as navigating the style conscious streets of Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia.
    — Siobhan Reid, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2025
Definition of conscious
Adjective
  • There were only five no-shows Tuesday for the Falcons’ voluntary camp, and Cousins was among them.
    — Terence Moore, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Another received 12 to 15 years for voluntary manslaughter.
    — Melissa Noel, Essence, 28 May 2025
Definition of voluntary
Adjective
  • Under normal circumstances, detecting rashes in a small vaccine-safety study would represent a routine scientific setback, and prove that the trials served their intended purpose.
    — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 31 May 2025
  • Uncontrolled access to huge volumes of data and autonomy can compromise an organization's security when AI agents turn rogue and deviate from their intended purpose.
    — Steve Durbin, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Definition of intended

Browse Nearby Words

intention
intentional
intentionally
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Cite this Entry

“Intentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intentional. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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