Intent — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /in-ˈtent/ in·tent

Meaning & Definition of Intent

Intent (noun)

  1. a usually clearly formulated or planned intention, aim
  2. the act or fact of intending, purpose; especially, the design or purpose to commit a wrongful or criminal act
  3. the state of mind with which an act is done, volition

Intent (adjective)

  1. directed with strained or eager attention, concentrated
  2. having the mind, attention, or will concentrated on something or some end or purpose

Intent (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that one hopes or intends to accomplish

    "I'm sorry that I hurt your feelings; that wasn't my intent"

    similar: aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne, design, dream, end, goal, idea, ideal, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, point, pretension, purpose, target, thing, name of the game
    related: grail, holy grail, plot, project, scheme, desire, hope, mind, wish, nirvana, destination, terminus
    near: means, method, way

  2. the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action

    "the wording was a little unclear, but I think I grasped the intent"

    similar: content, denotation, drift, import, intention, meaning, purport, sense, significance, signification
    related: connotation, clue, cue, hint, implication, indication, inkling, intimation, suggestion, message, tenor, theme, bottom, essence, essentiality, nature, soul, spirit, stuff, acceptance, acceptation, definition, burden, crux, gist, core, heart, kernel, marrow, nub, nucleus, pith, point, quick, matter, motif, motive, question, subject, topic

Intent (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. fully committed to achieving a goal

    "intent on finishing her sculpture in time for the group show"

    similar: bent (on or upon), bound, decisive, determined, do-or-die, firm, hell-bent (on or upon), out, purposeful, resolute, resolved, set, single-minded, on one's mettle
    related: bitter, vehement, certain, cocksure, confident, positive, sure, earnest, serious, steady, unfaltering, unhesitating, unswerving, unwavering, adamant, adamantine, dogged, hard, hardened, hardheaded, headstrong, immovable, implacable, inflexible, mulish, obdurate, persistent, pertinacious, perverse, pigheaded, rigid, self-willed, stubborn, tenacious, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, willful
    opposite: faltering, hesitant, indecisive, irresolute, undetermined, unresolved, vacillating, wavering, weak-kneed
    near: distrustful, doubtful, dubious, mistrustful, skeptical, suspicious, uncertain, unconvinced, undecided, unsettled, unsure, disinclined, indisposed, loath, reluctant

  2. having the mind fixed on something

    "he was so intent on his work that he didn't hear the dog bark"

    similar: absorbed, attentive, deep, engrossed, enthralled, focused, immersed, observant, rapt, all ears
    related: engaged, interested, intrigued, involved, hypnotized, mesmerized, alert, alive, conscious, open-eyed, watchful, wide-awake
    opposite: absent, absentminded, abstracted, distracted, inattentive, inobservant, unabsorbed, unfocused
    near: daydreaming, dreamy, faraway, foggy, hazy, lost, oblivious, preoccupied, remote, apathetic, disinterested, uninterested

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Intent

The most common words with a similar meaning to Intent:

aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne, design, dream, end, goal, idea, ideal, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, point, pretension, purpose, target, thing, content, denotation, drift, import, purport, sense, significance, signification, name of the game, bent (on or upon), bound, decisive, determined, do-or-die, firm, hell-bent (on or upon), out, purposeful, resolute

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Intent

Words with the opposite meaning of Intent:

faltering, hesitant, indecisive, irresolute, undetermined, unresolved, vacillating, wavering, weak-kneed, absent, absentminded, abstracted, distracted, inattentive, inobservant, unabsorbed, unfocused

Related Words for Intent

grail, holy grail, plot, project, scheme, desire, hope, mind, wish, nirvana, destination, terminus, connotation, clue, cue, hint, implication, indication, inkling, intimation, suggestion, message, tenor, theme, bottom, essence, essentiality, nature, soul, spirit

Near Antonyms of Intent

means, method, way, distrustful, doubtful, dubious, mistrustful, skeptical, suspicious, uncertain, unconvinced, undecided, unsettled, unsure, disinclined, indisposed, loath, reluctant, daydreaming, dreamy, faraway, foggy, hazy, lost, oblivious, preoccupied, remote, apathetic, disinterested, uninterested

Word Forms of Intent

Derived words: intentness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Intent

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

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Intent

Words & Phrases Containing Intent

intent on/upon (something), letter of intent

Frequently Asked Questions about Intent

What does "Intent" mean?

"Intent" means a usually clearly formulated or planned intention, aim. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: a usually clearly formulated or planned intention, aim. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Intent"?

Other words for "Intent" include aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne, design, dream, end and goal. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Intent" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Intent"?

There are 156 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Intent". Common alternatives include aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne, design, dream, end, goal, idea and ideal.

What is the opposite of "Intent"?

Antonyms of "Intent" include faltering, hesitant, indecisive, irresolute, undetermined, unresolved, vacillating and wavering. Near antonyms include means, method, way and distrustful.

How do you use "Intent" in a sentence?

Examples of "Intent" in a sentence: "I'm sorry that I hurt your feelings; that wasn't my intent"; "the wording was a little unclear, but I think I grasped the intent"; "intent on finishing her sculpture in time for the group show".

Is "Intent" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Intent" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Intent" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Intent" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Intent"?

"Intent" is pronounced /in-ˈtent/ and divided into syllables as in·tent.