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Showing results for well-intentioned. Search instead for wellintentioned.
Definitions

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.

Some on Tuesday condemned the measure as well-intentioned but ill-formulated.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026

She added: "Conservation must be guided by science, collaboration and long-term planning – not by impulsive actions, no matter how well-intentioned they may be."

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 1, 2026

You are very well-intentioned, but you’ve actually got the rules of survivor benefits backwards.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 17, 2025

Or at best a confused motivation, as with Liszt’s well-intentioned misunderstanding of Romani music.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.