I. də̇ˈlib(ə)rə̇]t, dē-, chiefly in substand speech -bər]t; usu ]d.+V adjective
Etymology: Latin deliberatus, past participle of deliberare to deliberate, alteration (influenced by liberare to free) of (assumed) delibrare, from de- + libra scale, pound — more at liberate
1. : characterized by or resulting from slow careful thorough calculation and consideration of effects and consequences : not hasty, rash, or thoughtless
a deliberate judgement
there is no deliberate study of it; haphazard thoughts occupy the place of rational conclusions — Herbert Spencer
2. : characterized by presumed or real awareness of the implications or consequences of one's actions or sayings or by fully conscious often willful intent
deliberate mischief
a deliberate lie
it was no accidental meeting of fugitive glances … a deliberate communication — Joseph Conrad
3. : slow, unhurried, and steady as though allowing time for decision on each individual action involved
a deliberate man, slow to anger but ruthless when aroused
he had not heard her heavy deliberate tread on the now uncarpeted stair — Willa Cather
deliberate in speech
Synonyms:
considered , advised , premeditated , designed , studied : deliberate always indicates full awareness of what one is doing and, used precisely, implies careful and unhurried consideration of procedures or consequences
before the United States could obtain an admission from Palmerston that the attack on the Caroline had been deliberate and official — S.E.Morison & H.S.Commager
cautious, deliberate, methodical, he was in no danger, she felt, of plunging precipitately into marriage — Ellen Glasgow
her methodicalness made her suicide more deliberate. Her self-possession was frightening — W.S.Maugham
considered , not usually applied to questionable acts, suggests careful study and soundness and maturity of judgment
in my considered opinion
a fitting object to be called, by those who suspect all men of considered opinions and of wide systematized views, a dogmatist — Contemporary Review
advised , now used mostly with deprecatory modifying adverbs, means so well thought out that possible criticisms and objections can be readily answered and doubts resolved
the very proper young man felt well advised to sound out the parents before proposing to the girl
premeditated emphasizes previous planning and intent but does not necessarily indicate consideration of consequences
both first and second degree murder (laying aside the exceptions which I thought it unnecessary to state) require an intent to kill, but in the one instance it is deliberate and premeditated intent and in the other it is not — B.N.Cardozo
designed indicates intent and plan, perhaps despite appearances of spontaneity and naturalness
perhaps the humor of this ruling was more unwitting than designed — B.N.Cardozo
studied connotes absence of spontaneity and presence of cool deliberateness, painstaking effort, or careful attention
the student began to feel that the teacher's oppression of him was a studied effort
the themes of these chaste exercises are often of a studied thinness. You may find that the author is disclaiming, almost anxiously, the idea of tarnishing the minute mirror of his sensibilities with any breath of thought — C.E.Montague
Synonym: see in addition slow , voluntary .
II. -ˈlibəˌrāt, usu -ād.+V\ verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin deliberatus
transitive verb
: to ponder or think about with measured careful consideration and often with formal discussion before reaching a decision or conclusion
he is deliberating what to do
the committee deliberated the matter
intransitive verb
: to ponder issues and decisions carefully often with the aid of counsel and formal consultation
the jury deliberated throughout the night
a club deliberating on what to do with the extra money in its treasury
Synonyms: see think