premeditate

[ pri-med-i-teyt ]

verb (used with object)

, pre·med·i·tat·ed, pre·med·i·tat·ing.

1. to meditate, consider, or plan beforehand:

   to premeditate a murder.

premeditate

/ prɪˈmɛdɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. to plan or consider (something, such as a violent crime) beforehand

Derived Forms

• preˈmediˌtative, adjective
• preˈmediˌtator, noun
• preˈmediˌtatedly, adverb

Other Words From

• pre·medi·tative adjective
• pre·medi·tator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of premeditate¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin praemeditātus, past participle of praemeditārī “to contemplate in advance”; pre-, meditate

Synonym Study

See deliberate.

Example Sentences

In seeking the jail term and the $3,000 fine, Deputy Public Prosecutor Thiagesh Sukumaran told the court that Low’s actions were premeditated, and he intended to undermine police investigations to advance his financial interests over all else.

From Washington Blade

The judges affirmed Roof’s conviction in a 149-page ruling and emphasized that the mass shooting was premeditated and designed to attract widespread attention.

From Washington Post

It was deliberate, it was premeditated and it was targeted against a specific person.

From Washington Blade

If we arrange our own exists, we will also premeditate our own agonies.

From Project Gutenberg

Does not Shakspeare himself sometimes premeditate the sheerest bombast!

From Project Gutenberg

It is most plain,” said Euthydemus, “that it is he who deceives with premeditate design.

From Project Gutenberg