deliberative

[dih-lib-er-uh-tiv, -uh-rey-tiv]

adjective

1. having the function of deliberating, as a legislative assembly.

   a deliberative body.

2. having to do with policy; dealing with the wisdom and expediency of a proposal.

   a deliberative speech.

deliberative

/ dɪˈlɪbərətɪv /

adjective

1. involved in, organized for, or having the function of deliberating

   a deliberative assembly

2. characterized by or resulting from deliberation

   a deliberative conclusion

Other Word Forms

• deliberatively adverb
• deliberativeness noun
• undeliberative adjective
• undeliberatively adverb
• undeliberativeness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deliberative¹

1545–55; < Latin dēlīberātīvus, equivalent to dēlīberāt ( us ) ( deliberate ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

But deliberative democracy also shapes the way all neighbors or citizens treat each other, whether on the street or at the dinner table.

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Transformative rulings can now bypass the deliberative process our democracy was built to honor.

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I believe that when we are measured and deliberative and we are calm — and we are not mercurial, not raging — we can make more sound decisions because we’re operating using our cortex.

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“These processes are deliberative, thorough, and intended to bring substantive change to how we serve our residents.”

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“This is a deliberative body. It’s a legislative process by definition — all of us have to give up on personal preferences,” he continued.

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Related Words

• calculated 
• contemplative