Word Finder
What's the word for the opposite of an accident?
The word you're looking for
Done on purpose and with conscious choice, rather than by chance or by mistake. It is the most direct opposite of accident.
Other words that fit
Use this when you want to emphasize that the action was carefully thought out and consciously decided, not just done on impulse.
Use this when the action was planned in advance beforehand, especially for serious or important decisions. Often used in legal contexts.
Use this when emphasizing a clear aim or goal behind the action. Slightly more formal than intentional in some contexts.
Why this word
Intentional is the most common and straightforward opposite of accident. It simply means something was done on purpose, with conscious choice—no element of chance or mistake involved. It differs from deliberate, which emphasizes careful and thoughtful decision-making, and premeditated, which specifically means planned in advance. A key point: intentional describes both good and bad actions equally. Many learners mistakenly think it only applies to negative situations (like intentional harm), but you can intentionally help someone or intentionally smile just as easily. In everyday English, intentional is used far more than its alternatives and works in almost any context where you need to say "on purpose."
In context
- She made an intentional mistake during the game as a clever strategy.
- The damage to the wall was intentional, not accidental as he claimed.
- His intentional choice to study harder paid off with better grades.
Other concepts to find a word for
Frequently asked questions
- Is intentional the same as deliberate?
- Similar meaning, but deliberate emphasizes careful, thoughtful decision-making. Intentional simply means done on purpose. You can be intentional without being deliberate (acting on sudden impulse), and vice versa.
- Can intentional describe good actions, or only bad ones?
- Intentional describes any purposeful action, good or bad. 'She intentionally gave him a compliment' is positive; 'He intentionally broke the rule' is negative.
- What's the difference between intentional and premeditated?
- Premeditated means planned beforehand in detail. Intentional just means done on purpose, without necessarily planning it in advance. Premeditated sounds more serious and formal.
- Is 'on purpose' the same as intentional?
- 'On purpose' is informal and conversational. Both mean the same thing, but intentional is more formal and preferred in writing and formal speech.