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to deliberate

to deliberate

43 4.4
To think about something very carefully before deciding
  • verb
  • /dɪˈlɪbərɪt/
translation icon : deliberar sobre
  • After their exhaustive review of the evidence, the grand jury deliberated over two days, making their final decision.
  • the jury deliberated
  • deliberate the case
  • deliberate on issues

But a lot of those things are what crazy people deliberate about.

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Examples

  • After hearing all the arguments, the judges will deliberate before announcing their decision.

  • The committee is still deliberating.

  • Other people thought, let's deliberate for a long time.

  • Government officials were representatives of the people, sent to deliberate on the public business.

    Academic text (1997)
  • The court will now retire to deliberate.

  • The Senate meetings were regularly used by all members of the Senate to deliberate on what the University is for.

  • Well, we don't deliberate about things that are not in our power.

  • We only deliberate, Aristotle says, over things where there is some choice.

  • "The jurors come in, they hear evidence, they deliberate and decide the case, shake hands, and go home."

    Academic text (1995)
  • For several months, New York legislators had been deliberating a $1.9 billion 21st Century Environmental Quality Bond Act.

    Academic text (1990)

Synonyms

to look at
vsto deliberate
1.0

Study something carefully to understand it or decide

is more formal and emphasizes careful discussion before choosing
to consider
vsto deliberate
1.1

To think carefully before making a decision

adds the idea of careful group discussion before a decision
to study
vsto deliberate
1.0

To look at something carefully to understand it

is narrower, focusing on careful discussion aimed at making a decision
to debate
vsto deliberate
474 2.8

To discuss and argue about a topic in a formal way

is internal and focused on careful thinking rather than formal argument
to reflect
vsto deliberate
265 3.9

To think carefully about something before making a decision

adds the aspect of careful group discussion leading to a decision
to contemplate
vsto deliberate
186 4.8

To think deeply about something for a long time

is more active, involving careful discussion before a timely decision
to ponder
vsto deliberate
134 4.3

Think carefully for a long time about something

is about careful discussion focused on reaching a decision
to reflect on
vsto deliberate
120 4.0

To think carefully about something and what it means

is more decision oriented, involving careful discussion before conclusion
to think it through
vsto deliberate
  • Informal
105 3.2

To look at all the details and what may happen before you decide

is focused on careful discussion before a final choice
to think out
vsto deliberate
  • Informal
45 3.9

To plan something carefully before you do it

is about careful discussion and attention before deciding
to mull
vsto deliberate
36 4.7

Think carefully for a long time before making a decision

stresses careful discussion and review before making a decision
to mull over
vsto deliberate
19 4.0

To think carefully about something before deciding

places more emphasis on careful group discussion before a decision
to chew on
vsto deliberate
  • Informal
14 3.9

To think carefully about something for a while before deciding

is more about careful talk and formal decision making
to think over
vsto deliberate
8 3.0

To look at something carefully before deciding

is about careful discussion leading to a decision rather than general thought
to turn over
vsto deliberate
4 4.1

Think carefully about something before deciding

places stronger emphasis on careful discussion before final choice
to cogitate
vsto deliberate
  • Formal
3 8.5

To think carefully and deeply about something

focuses more on careful discussion aimed at making a decision
to ponder over
vsto deliberate
1 4.1

To think carefully about something for a long time

is more about careful talk and decision making than long reflection

Antonyms

403 1.0

To make a person or thing move quickly

Compounds

deliberate defense
  • Specialized
6.7

A set of carefully planned military actions using strong positions and clear communications before fighting the enemy

How Careful

to ruminate
10 7.6
to ponder
134 4.3
to deliberate
43 4.4
to consider
1.1
to think about
1.0

Surface Forms

deliberate infinitive
deliberated past participle
deliberating present participle
deliberates third person singular

Etymology

Deliberate comes from Latin libra 'scales', so to deliberate is to 'weigh' ideas or options carefully before deciding.