well-intentioned
Americanadjective
adjective
Etymology
Origin of well-intentioned
First recorded in 1590–1600
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.
Justin said that the government's protection policy was well-intentioned -- but that the modern world was not allowing the Sentinelese to be left on their own.
From Barron's • May 18, 2026
Although well-intentioned, it has led to turnovers which have resulted in goals.
From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026
The thing that makes “Wild Boys” at all important is the question of personal autonomy and what limits or responsibilities anyone has—government entities, churches, NGOs or even just well-intentioned individuals—in “saving” someone from himself.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026
Some on Tuesday condemned the measure as well-intentioned but ill-formulated.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026
Much of Showboat’s attitude to poverty and racial stereotypes seems to us somewhat patronising, but this was the 1920s and at its core is a well-intentioned heart.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
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.
