intent
15 synonyms and 3 antonyms for intent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A plan or purpose behind an action.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A plan or purpose behind an action.
“The court had to determine the intent behind his actions.”
2. adj
Firmly focused or determined on something.
“She was intent on finishing the marathon, no matter how tired she felt.”
Opposites
How to use intent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
criminal intent
intent on
good intent
Etymology
From Old French entent, ultimately from Latin intentus, "stretched, strained, attentive."
Full origin of intent →Frequently asked questions
What does “intent” mean?
The word “intent” means a plan or purpose behind an action. In plain terms, either the purpose behind an act, or being firmly determined/focused on something.
How do you pronounce “intent”?
“Intent” is pronounced ihn-TEHNT (/ɪnˈtɛnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “intent” in a sentence?
Here is “intent” used in a sentence: “The court had to determine the intent behind his actions.”
What part of speech is “intent”?
Depending on how it is used, “intent” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “intent” come from?
The word “intent” comes from Latin. From Old French entent, ultimately from Latin intentus, "stretched, strained, attentive.".
Is “intent” a common word?
“Intent” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “intent” have?
“Intent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a plan or purpose behind an action.
What is the difference between "intent" and "intention"?
Both refer to the plan or purpose behind an action and overlap in meaning, but "intent" is more formal and common in legal or fixed phrases such as "criminal intent" or "with intent to defraud." "Intention" is the more everyday word for what someone means to do.
