Deliberate Definition

dĭ-lĭbər-ĭt

deliberated, deliberates, deliberating

adjective

Done with or marked by full consciousness of the nature and effects; intentional.

Mistook the oversight for a deliberate insult.

American Heritage

Carefully thought out and formed, or done on purpose; premeditated.

Webster's New World

Arising from or marked by careful consideration.

A deliberate decision.

American Heritage

Careful in considering, judging, or deciding; not rash or hasty.

Webster's New World

Unhurried and methodical.

Take deliberate aim.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

verb

deliberated, deliberates, deliberating

To think or consider carefully and fully; esp., to consider reasons for and against a thing in order to make up one's mind.

A jury deliberates.

Webster's New World

To think carefully and often slowly, as about a choice to be made.

American Heritage

To consult with another or others in a process of reaching a decision.

American Heritage

To consider (a matter) carefully and often slowly, as by weighing alternatives.

American Heritage

Intentional and premeditated, of an act performed with prior planning; with full consideration and thoroughly, as in “with all deliberate speed.”

Webster's New World Law

Synonyms:

Origin of Deliberate

From Latin deliberatus, past participle of delibero (“I consider, weigh well”), from de + *libero, libro (“I weigh”), from *libera, libra (“a balance”); see librate.

From Wiktionary
Latin dēlīberātus past participle of dēlīberāre to consider, weigh dē- de- lībrāre to balance (from lībra a balance, scales)

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition