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intentioned

B2
Uncommon

Pronunciation

UK

  • /ɪntˈɛnʃənd/

US

  • /ˌɪnˈtɛntʃənd/

Meanings

Adjective

  1. having intentions or motives of a specified kind

Beyond the definition

You will rarely see intentioned by itself in everyday English. Most of the time, it appears in forms like "well-intentioned" or "ill-intentioned" to describe the purpose behind a person's action. In that use, the word points to motive rather than result: a well-intentioned comment may still hurt someone, and an ill-intentioned act clearly comes from bad motives. On its own, the word can suggest that something was done with a purpose, but that use is uncommon and can sound unnatural today.

Examples

  1. 1

    Unhelpful advice

    Her well-intentioned advice only made him feel more nervous.

    • Phrasewell-intentioned

      meant to help, even if it does not help

  2. 2

    Policy effects

    The policy was well-intentioned, but it created extra work for teachers.

  3. 3

    Suspicious behavior

    Be careful around anyone who seems ill-intentioned.

    • Phraseill-intentioned

      wanting to cause harm or trouble

See also

Shades of meaning

  • well-intentioned
  • well-meaning
  • ill-intentioned

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • well-intentioned advice
  • well-intentioned effort
  • ill-intentioned remark

Word family

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Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • intentioned