deliberately
Americanadverb
-
on purpose; with clear intent.
Is this just bad journalism, or an attempt to deliberately mislead the public?
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with careful thought or consideration.
The board is committed to moving deliberately on this important initiative.
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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"
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Touching Spirit Bear
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The Devil's Arithmetic
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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.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said on X on Monday that some of the fires had been set deliberately, adding that security forces are working to catch those responsible.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
Marks across its surface show that early humans deliberately shaped it for use as a tool.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 27, 2026
Supt Ben Martin tells us that the coursers had rampaged through the county deliberately, to distract police and send them to the wrong places.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
It’s a gap that Congress has deliberately preserved for First Amendment reasons.
From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2026
“Taran of Caer Dallben,” Eilonwy cried, “you’re going too far! I can understand coming out of the rain, but I don’t see deliberately going into it.”
From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander
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.
