well-intentioned

[ wel-in-ten-shuh nd ]

/ ˈwɛl ɪnˈtɛn ʃənd /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR well-intentioned ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

Nearby words

well-heeled, well-hidden, well-hung, well-illustrated, well-informed, well-intentioned, well-judged, well-justified, well-kept, well-knit, well-known

Origin of well-intentioned

First recorded in 1590–1600

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for well-intentioned

What you see is a massive, well-intentioned, legal junk pile.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans|Philip K. Howard|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This was not a musical performance, per se, but you bet your ass this was a “performance”—albeit a well-intentioned and noble one.
Butts, ‘Bang Bang’ & Beyoncé: The Craziest MTV Video Music Awards Moments|Kevin Fallon|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And as with all cheerful, well-intentioned memes, the Challenge has provoked some good old-fashioned political trolling.
Ice Bucket Challenge Leads to Political Trolling|Asawin Suebsaeng|August 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Unfortunately, this can result in sending a well-intentioned but perilous message.
'Genie, You're Free': Suicide Is Not Liberation|Russell Saunders|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

To his credit, the well-intentioned pup responds to her cries by burying the kid in toys.
Dancing Grandpas, Morgan Freeman Impressions, and More Viral Videos|Jack Holmes|July 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
However, he had to leave without any result accruing from his well-intentioned purpose.
The City of Auckland|John Barr
It was quite another matter with the "Land Commission," a well-intentioned institution with which the Duke began his reign.
Historic Oddities|Sabine Baring-Gould
A group of maskers came up the path as she dismissed her brother with this well-intentioned fib, and with them she entered.
Patty's Perversities|Arlo Bates
It was a relief to see that these parishioners were not seduced from the path of duty by his well-intentioned invitation.
The Retrospect|Ada Cambridge
Had she not cast to the winds the well-intentioned counsel given her in that unsigned letter?
A Ghetto Violet|Leopold Kompert

British Dictionary definitions for well-intentioned

well-intentioned

adjective (well intentioned when postpositive)

having or indicating benevolent intentions, usually with unfortunate results

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for well-intentioned

well-intentioned

adj.

1590s, from well (adv.) + intentioned (see intention).

well-intentioned

adjective

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Origin of well-intentioned

Examples from the Web for well-intentioned

British Dictionary definitions for well-intentioned

well-intentioned

adjective (well intentioned when postpositive)

Word Origin and History for well-intentioned

well-intentioned