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Premeditation: meaning, definitions and examples

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premeditation

[ ˌpriːˌmɛdɪˈteɪʃən ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

legal term

The act of planning or thinking about a crime before committing it, especially murder. Premeditation involves a deliberate intent to commit the crime and is often a key factor in determining the severity of the punishment.

Synonyms

forethought, intention, planning.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
premeditation	Used in legal or formal contexts to describe something planned or thought out in advance, especially when referring to crimes or serious plans. It often carries a negative connotation. The court found the defendant guilty of murder with premeditation. His actions showed clear signs of premeditation and malice.
planning	Used in a variety of contexts to describe the process of making detailed arrangements or developing strategies. The connotation is generally neutral or positive, signifying organization and foresight. Good planning can save time and resources. They spent weeks planning the perfect vacation.
intention	Used to describe someone's purpose or aim, usually in a broader, less formal context. The term doesn't necessarily imply detailed planning and is neutral in tone. It was not my intention to hurt your feelings. His intention was to help, but it didn't work out that way.
forethought	Typically used in contexts where advanced thinking or careful consideration is emphasized. It can have a positive connotation, suggesting prudence and careful planning. She showed great forethought in preparing for the unexpected storm. With some forethought, you can avoid many common mistakes.

Examples of usage

His premeditation in the murder case was evident from the detailed plan he had created.
The court found evidence of premeditation in the defendant's actions leading up to the crime.

Translations

Translations of the word "premeditation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 premeditação

🇮🇳 पूर्वविचार

🇩🇪 Vorsatz

🇮🇩 perencanaan

🇺🇦 обдумування

🇵🇱 premedytacja

🇯🇵 予謀 (よぼう)

🇫🇷 préméditation

🇪🇸 premeditación

🇹🇷 tasarlama

🇰🇷 사전계획 (사전 계획)

🇸🇦 تخطيط مسبق

🇨🇿 předem promyšlený čin

🇸🇰 premeditácia

🇨🇳 预谋 (yùmó)

🇸🇮 premišljevanje

🇮🇸 fyrirfram hugleiðing

🇰🇿 алдын ала ойлау

🇬🇪 წინასწარი განზრახვა

🇦🇿 qabaqcadan düşünmə

🇲🇽 premeditación

Etymology

The term 'premeditation' originated from the Latin word 'praemeditatio', meaning 'a thinking beforehand'. It has been used in legal contexts for centuries to refer to the act of planning a crime before committing it. Premeditation is a crucial element in criminal law as it can determine the degree of intent and culpability of the perpetrator.