intent

noun in·tent \ in-ˈtent \

Updated on: 4 Dec 2017

Definition of intent

1 a : the act or fact of intending : purpose; especially : the design or purpose to commit a wrongful or criminal act

admitted wounding him with intent

b : the state of mind with which an act is done : volition

2 : a usually clearly formulated or planned intention : aim

the director's intent

3 a : meaning, significance

b : connotation 3

See intent defined for English-language learners

See intent defined for kids

Examples of intent in a Sentence

She thinks I'm trying to make things difficult for her, but that's not my intent.
The intent of the law is to protect consumers.
He was charged with assault with intent to kill.

Recent Examples of intent from the Web

His teenage daughter Elisabeth, intent on following in her father’s footsteps, kept changing schools as the discriminatory laws and regulations multiplied.

— yuliya komska, Smithsonian, "Inside the House of Zyklon B," 10 Oct. 2017
The intent behind withholding connection is to demonstrate one’s unhappiness in a passive fashion while simultaneously frustrating the other person’s attempts to engage directly around the issue.

— philip chard, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Don't encourage people who pout," 3 Nov. 2017
The intent, Facebook says, is to maximize value for everybody: to pair the advertiser with its likeliest customers, and to show ads that users want to see.

— burt helm, New York Times, "How Facebook’s Oracular Algorithm Determines the Fates of Start-Ups," 2 Nov. 2017
If the banking and email services prohibit password-sharing, the 9th Circuit's reasoning would transform these quotidian acts into violations of the CFAA, punishable by a fine and up to a year in prison, even if the users had no criminal intent.

— david kravets, Ars Technica, "Supreme Court: Hacking conviction stands for man who didn’t hack computer," 10 Oct. 2017
The myriad legal hassles the Flynns now face stem not from nefarious intent, the official argued, but from the fact that Flynn Jr. was in charge of the Flynn Intel Group's paperwork and was unqualified for his position.

— ben schreckinger, GQ, "How Mike Flynn, Jr. Is Dealing with Being Trapped Inside the Mueller Investigation," 2 Oct. 2017
The administration has signaled its intent to significantly scale back mass transit funding traditionally favored by more liberal and urban states.

— john wagner, courant.com, "Trump And Republicans Boltster Red States, Punish Blue," 25 Sep. 2017
The intent is for that sign to be seen by the many people living in South End, said Katon, head of capital markets for Regions.

— deon roberts, charlotteobserver, "Why are so many banks flocking to this section of uptown?," 21 Sep. 2017
Surrounded by dozens of supporters including County Executive Allan Kittleman, Howard County Sheriff Bill McMahon announced on Monday his intent to run to stay in office in 2018.

— kate magill, Howard County Times, "Howard County sheriff announces he will run to stay in office," 19 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of intent

Middle English entente, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin intentus, from Latin, act of stretching out, from intendere

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First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

intent Synonyms

Synonyms

aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne (also bourn), design, dream, end, idea, ideal, goal, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, point, pretension, purpose, target, thing

Related Words

grail, holy grail; plot, project, scheme; desire, hope, mind, wish; nirvana; destination, terminus

Near Antonyms

means, method, way

Synonym Discussion of intent

intention, intent, purpose, design, aim, end, object, objective, goal mean what one intends to accomplish or attain. intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

- announced his intention to marry

intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

- the clear intent of the statute

purpose suggests a more settled determination.

- being successful was her purpose in life

design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

- the order of events came by accident, not design

aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

- her aim was to raise film to an art form

end stresses the intended effect of action often in distinction or contrast to the action or means as such.

- willing to use any means to achieve his end

object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.

- his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

- their objective is to seize the oil fields

goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

- worked years to reach her goals

intent

adjective

Definition of intent

1 : directed with strained or eager attention : concentrated

2 : having the mind, attention, or will concentrated on something or some end or purpose

intent on their work

—

intently

adverb

—

intentness

noun

See intent defined for English-language learners

Examples of intent in a Sentence

intent on finishing her sculpture in time for the group show
he was so intent on his work that he didn't hear the dog bark

Recent Examples of intent from the Web

The two personalities are at war with one another, with Robot intent on overhauling the world through militant revolution, and Elliot intent on preventing himself from causing lasting harm.

— josh wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Mr. Robot' Season 3: Everything to Know Before the Premiere," 9 Oct. 2017
As if that’s not enough, the overlapping investigations into Russian meddling in the U.S. election are entering a more aggressive phase, and North Korea seems intent on drawing Trump into a confrontation.

— kevin whitelaw, Bloomberg.com, "Balance of Power: 30 Days That'll Set Course for a Presidency," 5 Sep. 2017
The administration purportedly intent on Making America Great Again is now publicly lionizing a long-dead general who spent four years of his life attempting to destroy it.

— jay willis, GQ, "John Kelly: Literal Traitor Robert E. Lee Was Actually Good," 31 Oct. 2017
House Republicans appear to be intent on generating investigations against Clinton and the Obama administration in pursuit of their spurious alt-collusion conspiracy.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "The Republican Party Is Gearing Up for War on the Rule of Law," 30 Oct. 2017
Yet those same people seem culturally and politically intent on holding their tribal identity in front of themselves and use it to distinguish their separateness and rationale for rejecting unity.

— james fallows, The Atlantic, "‘Scorn for Tribalism Is an American Tradition’," 1 Nov. 2017
Blake has been traveling with the team, intent on getting a feel for individual and collective moods.

— helene elliott, latimes.com, "Kings regain their stride with freedom to operate under new general manager Rob Blake," 29 Oct. 2017
Perhaps that’s why the empire builders are so intent on insisting that everything is fine at the network, even after Flay’s outburst.

— allen salkin, HWD, "Did Bobby Flay Torpedo His Own Iron Chef Career? [Updated]," 25 Oct. 2017
Speaking of the Jets, the team is intent on hanging tough for the remainder of the season.

— conor orr, SI.com, "What Can Josh Gordon Do For The Browns Three Years Later?," 1 Nov. 2017

Origin and Etymology of intent

Latin intentus, from past participle of intendere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

intent Synonyms

INTENT Defined for English Language Learners

intent

noun

Definition of intent for English Language Learners

: the thing that you plan to do or achieve : an aim or purpose

intent

adjective

Definition of intent for English Language Learners

: showing concentration or great attention

INTENT Defined for Kids

intent

noun in·tent \ in-ˈtent \

Definition of intent for Students

1 : what someone plans to do or accomplish : purpose

Upsetting her was not my intent.

2 : meaning 2

What is the author's intent?

intent

adjective

Definition of intent for Students

1 : showing concentration or great attention

an intent gaze

2 : showing great determination

They were intent on going.

—

intently

adverb

I listened intently.

Law Dictionary

intent

noun in·tent \ in-ˈtent \

legal Definition of intent

1 : the act or fact of intending: as

a : the design or purpose to commit a wrongful or criminal act — called also criminal intent; compare knowledge, mens rea, motive, negligence

b : the purpose to commit a tortious act having consequences that the actor desires and believes or knows will occur

— constructive intent

: intent that is inferred to exist (as from willfulness or recklessness) in relation to an act

— criminal intent

: intent 1a

— general intent

: intent to perform an illegal act without the desire for further consequences or a precise result

there was a general intent to assault but not to kill

— specific intent

: intent to perform an illegal act with the knowledge or purpose that particular results will or may ensue

assaulted him with specific intent to kill

— transferred intent

1 : intent attributed to a person who intends to cause another harm when the harm is accidentally inflicted on an unintended victim

2 : a doctrine in tort and criminal law: a wrongdoer who causes harm to a person other than the one intended may nevertheless be held to have intended the harmful result

2 a : intendment — see also legislative intent

b : the purpose of a document (as a contract or will)

c : the aim or goal of a person in creating a document or taking an action

the court's attempt to fulfill the donor's intent

the intent of the contracting parties implied by their language

— see also original intent

— with intent

: with the intent to commit another sometimes specified crime

entered the apartment with intent to commit theft therein

a drug dealer charged with possession with intent

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intent

Definition of intent

From the M-W Editors

Examples of intent in a Sentence

Recent Examples of intent from the Web

Origin and Etymology of intent

intent Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of intent

intent

Definition of intent

intently

intentness

Examples of intent in a Sentence

Recent Examples of intent from the Web

Origin and Etymology of intent

intent Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Phrases Related to INTENT

Related Phrases

INTENT Defined for English Language Learners

intent

Definition of intent for English Language Learners

intent

Definition of intent for English Language Learners

INTENT Defined for Kids

intent

Definition of intent for Students

intent

Definition of intent for Students

intently

Law Dictionary

intent

legal Definition of intent

Learn More about intent

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