The word "deliberately" has two main meanings: intentionally and with careful consideration. Here are some synonyms for each meaning and their explanations:
Meaning: Intentionally
- On purpose
- Explanation: "On purpose" is a very common and straightforward way to express the idea that something was done with intention. It implies that there was a clear decision to act in a certain way. For example, "He spilled the water on purpose to get her attention." It's as simple as saying that the action was not accidental but was planned.
- Example: She left the book on the table on purpose so that he would see it and remember to read it.
- Intentionally
- Explanation: This is a more formal synonym for "deliberately." It clearly conveys the idea that an action was done with a specific intention in mind. For example, "She intentionally ignored his calls to show her displeasure." It emphasizes that the act of ignoring was a conscious choice.
- Example: The artist intentionally used bold colors to create a sense of drama in the painting.
- Purposely
- Explanation: "Purposely" is similar to "on purpose" and "intentionally." It indicates that an action was carried out with a particular purpose. For example, "He purposely arrived late to make a statement." It shows that the lateness was a planned behavior to achieve a certain effect.
- Example: She purposely wore a bright dress to stand out in the crowd.
- Willfully
- Explanation: "Willfully" implies a strong - willed or stubborn intention. It often has a connotation of doing something even when it might not be the right or expected thing to do. For example, "He willfully disobeyed the rules." Here, it shows that he deliberately chose to break the rules, with a sense of his own will overriding the normal expectations.
- Example: The child willfully refused to eat his vegetables, even though he knew he should.
Meaning: With careful consideration
- Deliberatively
- Explanation: "Deliberatively" is the adverb form of "deliberate" in the sense of careful consideration. It emphasizes the process of thinking through a decision or action. For example, "He deliberatively weighed the pros and cons before making a decision." It shows that he was carefully and methodically thinking about the situation.
- Example: The committee deliberatively reviewed each proposal to ensure the best choice was made.
- Thoughtfully
- Explanation: "Thoughtfully" implies that an action was done after careful thought and consideration. It also has a connotation of kindness or thoughtfulness in the sense of considering others. For example, "She thoughtfully planned the party to make sure everyone had a good time." It shows that she put a lot of thought into the details, similar to how one might act deliberately in a situation that requires careful planning.
- Example: He thoughtfully considered his words before speaking to avoid any misunderstandings.
- Meticulously
- Explanation: "Meticulously" means with extreme attention to detail. When something is done meticulously, it implies a careful and thorough consideration of all the elements involved. For example, "The detective meticulously examined the evidence." This shows that the examination was a deliberate process, with a focus on every little detail to make a well - informed decision.
- Example: She meticulously planned her presentation, carefully choosing each slide and rehearsing every word.