well-intentioned

[wel-in-ten-shuhnd] / ˈwɛl ɪnˈtɛn ʃənd /

ADJECTIVE

favorable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

agreeable benign encouraging positive supportive sympathetic

WEAK

acclamatory affirmative amicable approbative approbatory assenting benevolent benignant commending complimentary enthusiastic in favor of inclined kind kindly laudatory okay praiseful predisposed reassuring recommendatory understanding welcoming well-disposed

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disadvantageous disagreeable hateful

WEAK

bad derogatory detrimental harmful hindering hurtful hurting injurious unfavorable unfriendly unhelpful unpromising

ADJECTIVE

innocent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

childlike gullible ignorant innocuous wide-eyed

STRONG

frank open raw safe simple square

WEAK

artless credulous fresh guileless hurtless inexperienced ingenuous innoxious inobnoxious inoffensive offenseless soft unacquainted unartificial uncool unfamiliar unhurtful uninjurious unmalicious unobjectionable unoffensive unschooled unsophisticated unstudied unsuspicious unworldly wellmeant youthful

Antonyms

STRONGEST

knowledgeable untrusting wise

STRONG

dishonest sophisticated unclear

WEAK

bad blamable corrupt cunning evil experienced guilty immoral impure sinful

ADJECTIVE

sympathetic

Synonyms

STRONGEST

amenable appreciative encouraging open-minded receptive responsive

WEAK

approving companionable compatible congenial congruous consistent consonant cool down favorably disposed having a heart in sympathy with like-minded on same wavelength open pro simpatico tuned-in vicarious well-disposed

Antonyms

WEAK

callous cold disagreeable merciless uncaring unconcerned unfeeling unfriendly unsociable unsympathetic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The thing that makes “Wild Boys” at all important is the question of personal autonomy and what limits or responsibilities anyone has—government entities, churches, NGOs or even just well-intentioned individuals—in “saving” someone from himself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

"Though well-intentioned, blanket bans on social media would fail to deliver the improvement in children's safety and wellbeing that they so urgently need."

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2026

If “Intentional” isn’t consistently riveting reading, it is nonetheless sensible—and well-intentioned.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 1, 2026

But she isn’t permitted to subjugate her characters to advance her own agenda, no matter how well-intentioned.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2025

None of these well-intentioned remarks cheered the dwarf, who strode angrily ahead, swinging his axe from side to side.

From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander

well-intentioned

Example Sentences

Related Words