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intentional

adjective
in·​ten·​tion·​al | \ in-ˈtench-nÉ™l How to pronounce intentional (audio) , -ˈten(t)-shÉ™-nᵊl\

Definition of intentional

1 : done by intention or design : intended intentional damage
2a : of or relating to epistemological intention
b : having external reference
Other Words from intentional Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about intentional

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Other Words from intentional

intentionality \ in-​ËŒten(t)-​shÉ™-​ˈna-​lÉ™-​tÄ“ How to pronounce intentionality (audio) \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for intentional

voluntary, intentional, deliberate, willing mean done or brought about of one's own will. voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion. a voluntary confession intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved. the intentional concealment of vital information deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences. deliberate acts of sabotage willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another. willing obedience

Examples of intentional in a Sentence

an intentional and premeditated killing I apologize for the omission of your name from the list. It was not intentional.

Recent Examples on the Web

 Clark, who denied any intentional wrongdoing, was later fined $50. — Chris Foran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin banned selling yellow margarine for 72 years, so residents smuggled it in from Illinois," 28 Aug. 2019 All this Disney+ content feels like a deluge, and that's of course intentional on Disney's part. — Isaac Feldberg, Fortune, "What D23 Expo’s Newly Revealed Mega-Slate Tells Us About Disney+," 26 Aug. 2019 During an interview with Vernon police, Almodovar denied doing anything intentional to the boy. — David Owens, courant.com, "Vernon man charged after police say he was caught raping a 5-year-old boy," 22 Aug. 2019 Safety advocates' focus on the need to push technological solutions is directly related to the belief, backed by research, that these deaths are almost never intentional. — Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, "Kids are dying in hot cars at an alarming rate; safety agency tweets for awareness," 15 Aug. 2019 The outside reviews found there was no intentional harm. — Sharon Coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "After 911 calls fail to save 16-year-old Kyle Plush, his parents sue Cincinnati to get answers they were promised, but never got," 9 Aug. 2019 Some animals are intentional mimics, while some seem to have evolved the same coloration as very far flung members of the animal family tree. — Liz Langley, National Geographic, "Imitation crab? Meet 6 creatures that steal others’ looks," 7 Aug. 2019 Jon's and Arya's likeminded aesthetics this season are 100 percent intentional. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "The Hidden Message Behind Arya’s and Jon’s Hairstyles on Game of Thrones Last Night," 13 May 2019 The new gray hair is more intentional than accidental. — Rory Satran, WSJ, "The Hottest Hair Color of the Moment is...Gray," 17 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intentional.' 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 intentional

circa 1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for intentional

intentional

adjective
How to pronounce intentional (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of intentional

: done in a way that is planned or intended

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

intentional

adjective
in·​ten·​tion·​al | \ in-ˈten-shÉ™-nÉ™l How to pronounce intentional (audio) \

Kids Definition of intentional

: done in a deliberate way : not accidental an intentional error

Other Words from intentional

intentionally adverb

intentional

adjective
in·​ten·​tion·​al | \ in-ˈten-chÉ™-nÉ™l How to pronounce intentional (audio) \

Legal Definition of intentional

: done with intent an intentional tort intentional discrimination

Other Words from intentional

intentionally adverb

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More from Merriam-Webster on intentional

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for intentional

Spanish Central: Translation of intentional

Nglish: Translation of intentional for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English:

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