deliberately
Americanadverb
-
on purpose; with clear intent.
Is this just bad journalism, or an attempt to deliberately mislead the public?
-
with careful thought or consideration.
The board is committed to moving deliberately on this important initiative.
-
in a calm and unhurried way.
He was careful to move slowly and deliberately so as not to scare them off.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of deliberately
Explanation
Deliberately means on purpose. For example, you may have noticed how the schoolyard bully deliberately chose to pick on the smallest kids at recess. The adverb deliberately originates from the Latin word deliberatus, meaning "resolved upon, determined." Used to describe an action made intentionally, it can also mean doing something in a careful, thoughtful manner. You probably cringed when the pitcher deliberately hurled the ball into the star batter's leg so he would walk rather than hitting another home run. Or perhaps you witnessed a college professor stroking his beard deliberately in response to a classmate's challenging question.
Vocabulary lists containing deliberately
"Of Mice and Men"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Touching Spirit Bear
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Devil's Arithmetic
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This means a passenger who deliberately travels without a ticket could end up paying significantly more.
From BBC • Jul. 1, 2026
“Open to multiple interpretations” and “left deliberately ambiguous,” as Mr. Hickey notes, the series is being presented in its entirety—17 episodes—by the Criterion Channel.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026
But it is also one the majority deliberately declines to answer in quantitative terms.
From Slate • Jun. 29, 2026
Indeed, the Maestro was famous for being deliberately ambiguous to keep the financial markets guessing.
From Barron's • Jun. 26, 2026
He deliberately ruined the thing I prized most.
From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
