intentionally

adverb

in·​ten·​tion·​al·​ly in-ˈten(t)-shə-nᵊl-ē How to pronounce intentionally (audio)
-ˈtench-nə-lē
Synonyms of intentionallynext
: in an intentional manner : with awareness of what one is doing : purposely
an intentionally vague response
The witness intentionally gave misleading answers to the questions.
The test is intentionally designed to trick students.

Examples of intentionally in a Sentence

the witness intentionally gave misleading answers to the questions
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What researchers uncovered through lab testing and surveillance footage, prosecutors said, was a plot by his fellow graduate student to intentionally poison him. — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 Macdonald was also, for much of his career, intentionally unknowable. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026 Cope, who participated in Frieze London with his namesake gallery, is intentionally alluding to a bygone era of art fairs with his participation in the Dallas and London Invitationals. — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Fire officials believe the fires were likely started by people, but determining whether they were intentionally set can be difficult without direct evidence. — Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intentionally

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1673, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of intentionally was circa 1673

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Intentionally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intentionally. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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