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intend

verb
in·​tend | \ in-ˈtend How to pronounce intend (audio) \
intended; intending; intends

Definition of intend

transitive verb

1a : to have in mind as a purpose or goal : plan
b : to design for a specified use or future
2a : signify, mean
b : to refer to
3 : to direct the mind on
4 archaic : to proceed on (a course)

intransitive verb

archaic : set out, start
Other Words from intend Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about intend

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Other Words from intend

intender noun

Synonyms for intend

Synonyms

aim, allow [chiefly Southern & Midland], aspire, calculate, contemplate, design, go [chiefly Southern & Midland], look, mean, meditate, plan, propose, purport, purpose

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Examples of intend in a Sentence

I didn't intend any disrespect. We intended that she come with us.

Recent Examples on the Web

 Best of all, these size extensions are intended to stick around for the long run, ushering in a new, more inclusive, normal. — Glamour, "All the Fashion Brands That Have Introduced Plus Sizes in 2019," 29 Aug. 2019 Simrall said at the time that city officials never intended for Louisville to be a guinea pig or experiment. — Darcy Costello, The Courier-Journal, "Repairs underway on roads left damaged after Google Fiber's exit from Louisville," 28 Aug. 2019 Brenda Mayrack never intended to become an unclaimed property czar. — Michael Waters, The Atlantic, "What Happens to All Those Unused Gift Cards," 27 Aug. 2019 Adrian Baron, the unofficial spokesman of New Britain’s Little Poland section, said the social club of Polish-American veterans never intended to promote anti-Semitism. — Don Stacom, courant.com, "Amid accusations about ‘Holocaust revisionism,’ New Britain Polish group cancels controversial speech," 22 Aug. 2019 Just as intended, some viewers immediately began speculating that Pelosi was drunk, and the video spread on social media. — Claire Wardle, Scientific American, "Misinformation Has Created a New World Disorder," 20 Aug. 2019 While CenturyLink did not intend to use the feature, CenturyLink left it unconfigured and enabled. — Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, "How malformed packets caused CenturyLink’s 37-hour, nationwide outage," 19 Aug. 2019 The moving lyrics of the song are intended to address some of the struggles faced by the brave men and women who have served. — Kelly O'sullivan, Country Living, "Zac Brown Band’s New Song 'Warrior' Is a Powerful Tribute to the U.S. Military," 12 Aug. 2019 In one of his first actions as presiding judge of the juvenile court in Maricopa County, Joseph Kreamer reminded his colleagues of a key practice intended to keep children’s identities private. — Mary Jo Pitzl, Arizona Republic, "Courts increase privacy warnings in child-welfare cases, following Republic report," 22 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of intend

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

History and Etymology for intend

Middle English entenden, intenden, from Anglo-French entendre, from Latin intendere to stretch out, direct, aim at, from in- + tendere to stretch — more at thin

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More Definitions for intend

intend

verb
How to pronounce intend (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of intend

: to plan or want to do (something) : to have (something) in your mind as a purpose or goal
: to plan for or want (someone or something) to do or be something
: to want (something that you control, provide, or have made) to be used for a particular purpose or by a particular person

See the full definition for intend in the English Language Learners Dictionary

intend

verb
in·​tend | \ in-ˈtend How to pronounce intend (audio) \
intended; intending

Kids Definition of intend

: to have in mind as a purpose or goal : plan I intend to do better next time. I didn't intend to hurt you.

intend

transitive verb
in·​tend | \ in-ˈtend How to pronounce intend (audio) \

Legal Definition of intend

: to have in one's mind as a purpose or goal did not intend to kill her

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More from Merriam-Webster on intend

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with intend

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for intend

Spanish Central: Translation of intend

Nglish: Translation of intend for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of intend for Arabic Speakers

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