intentional

adjective

in·​ten·​tion·​al in-ˈten(t)-shə-nᵊl 

-ˈtench-nəl

1

: done by intention or design : intended

intentional damage

2

a

: of or relating to epistemological intention

b

: having external reference

intentionality

in-ˌten(t)-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

noun

Synonyms

• conscious
• deliberate
• intended
• knowing
• purposeful
• purposive
• set
• voluntary
• willed
• willful
• wilful
• witting

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

The show was also intentional about embracing younger artists blazing new trails in the industry — from a medley with up-and-coming urban artists Eladio Carrión, Quevedo, Myke Towers, to a Spanglish performance by Joe Jonas and Ela Taubert, who is nominated for best new artist. —Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024

Be intentional with team connections and avoid the trap of transactional conversations. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

The lawsuit, which names Santa Margarita Catholic High School and the Roman Catholic bishop of Orange, alleges negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. —Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024

The documents — filed in Mecklenburg County Superior Court on Friday, Oct. 25 — stated the plaintiff is seeking damages on various grounds, including battery, civil conspiracy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. —Becca Longmire, People.com, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

intentional

adjective

in·​ten·​tion·​al in-ˈtench-nəl 

-ˈten-chən-ᵊl

: done by intention : not accidental

intentionally

-ˈtench-nə-lē 

-ˈten-chən-ᵊl-ē

adverb

Legal Definition

intentional

adjective

in·​ten·​tion·​al in-ˈten-chə-nəl 

: done with intent

an intentional tort

intentional discrimination

intentionally adverb