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deliberation

noun
de·​lib·​er·​a·​tion | \ di-ˌli-bə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce deliberation (audio) \

Definition of deliberation

1a : the act of thinking about or discussing something and deciding carefully : the act of deliberating After careful deliberation, he decided to study medicine rather than law.
b : a discussion and consideration by a group of persons (such as a jury or legislature) of the reasons for and against a measure The jury returned a verdict after a four-hour deliberation.
2 : the quality or state of being deliberate spoke with clarity and deliberation worked with deliberation on the painting
Other Words from deliberation Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about deliberation

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Other Words from deliberation

deliberative \ di-​ˈli-​bə-​ˌrā-​tiv How to pronounce deliberative (audio) , -​ˈli-​b(ə-​)rə-​ \ adjective
deliberatively adverb
deliberativeness noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for deliberation

Synonyms

account, advisement, consideration, debate, reflection, study, thought

Antonyms

short shrift

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Examples of deliberation in a Sentence

After hours of deliberation, the council came to a decision. Jury deliberations lasted two days. She spoke to the audience with clarity and deliberation.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations. — Washington Post, "Plan for Taliban meeting latest bold Trump gamble to unravel," 10 Sep. 2019 The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations. — Matthew Lee, The Denver Post, "Plan for Taliban meeting latest bold Trump gamble to unravel," 8 Sep. 2019 At that meeting, officials concluded that Hong Kong authorities and local police could eventually restore order on their own, officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. — Chris Buckley, BostonGlobe.com, "Hong Kong crisis tests confidence in Xi’s iron grasp," 7 Sep. 2019 At that meeting, the officials concluded that the Hong Kong authorities and the local police could eventually restore order on their own, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. — Chris Buckley, New York Times, "Is Xi Mishandling Hong Kong Crisis? Hints of Unease in China’s Leadership," 7 Sep. 2019 The strategist was granted anonymity to discuss the internal deliberations. — Lisa Mascaro, Detroit Free Press, "GOP shifts focus to Rep. Rashida Tlaib, House Dem 'squad' in campaign attacks," 31 Aug. 2019 Both spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. — NBC News, "Trump scraps efforts to cut foreign aid," 22 Aug. 2019 And, when decrypts were available, the judicious use or non-use of the information involved agonizingly difficult deliberation. — Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, "Are Spies More Trouble Than They’re Worth?," 26 Aug. 2019 Monday would have been the 10th day of deliberations for the original jury. — Megan Cassidy, SFChronicle.com, "Ghost Ship jury takes break, to return to deliberations after Labor Day," 21 Aug. 2019

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

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for deliberation

see deliberate entry 2

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More Definitions for deliberation

deliberation

noun
How to pronounce deliberation (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of deliberation

: careful thought or discussion done in order to make a decision
: the quality of being slow and careful

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

deliberation

noun
de·​lib·​er·​a·​tion | \ di-ˌli-bə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce deliberation (audio) \

Kids Definition of deliberation

1 : careful thought : consideration Still, she thought after quite a long deliberation, it was probably all right to tell her children …— Robert C. O'Brien, Rats of NIMH
2 : the quality of being deliberate He spoke with great deliberation.

deliberation

noun
de·​lib·​er·​a·​tion | \ di-ˌli-bə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce deliberation (audio) \

Legal Definition of deliberation

1a : the act of deliberating — compare premeditation
b : a discussion and consideration by a group of persons (as a jury or legislature) of the reasons for or against a measure
2 : the quality or state of being deliberate killing with deliberation

Other Words from deliberation

deliberative \ dē-​ˈli-​bə-​ˌrā-​tiv, -​brə-​tiv How to pronounce deliberative (audio) \ adjective

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