2
3
a
1
: directed with strained or eager attention : concentrated
2
: having the mind, attention, or will concentrated on something or some end or purpose
intent on their work
intentness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of intent in a Sentence
Noun
She thinks I'm trying to make things difficult for her, but that's not my intent.
The intent of the law is to protect consumers.
He was charged with assault with intent to kill.
Adjective
intent on finishing her sculpture in time for the group show
he was so intent on his work that he didn't hear the dog bark
Recent Examples on the Web
Expert Panel®, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
He was previously sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempting to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
—Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2024
Dan Primack, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
President of baseball operations Craig Breslow seems intent on upgrading his starting rotation, based on recent comments to The Athletic.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for intent 
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Noun
Focus On Active Listening Focus on active listening—listening to understand rather than listening with the intent to respond.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
He was previously sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempting to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
—Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Back home on Wall Street, meanwhile, Lutnick seems intent on reviving the moribund SPAC market.
—Dan Primack, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
President of baseball operations Craig Breslow seems intent on upgrading his starting rotation, based on recent comments to The Athletic.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for intent
Articles Related to intent
Dictionary Entries Near intent
Cite this Entry
“Intent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intent. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
intent
1 of 2 noun
in·tent
in-ˈtent 
1
: purpose sense 1, intention
with intent to injure
2
: meaning entry 1 sense 1a
the intent of the law
intent
2 of 2 adjective1
: directed with strained or eager attention
an intent gaze
2
a
: having the mind, attention, or will concentrated on something
b
: set on some end or purpose
intent on going
intently
adverb
intentness
noun
Legal Definition
intent
noun
in·tent
in-ˈtent
1
: the act or fact of intending: as
a
: the design or purpose to commit a wrongful or criminal act
called also criminal intent
compare knowledge, mens rea, motive, negligence
b
: the purpose to commit a tortious act having consequences that the actor desires and believes or knows will occur
—
constructive intent
: intent that is inferred to exist (as from willfulness or recklessness) in relation to an act
—
general intent
: intent to perform an illegal act without the desire for further consequences or a precise result
there was a general intent to assault but not to kill
—
specific intent
: intent to perform an illegal act with the knowledge or purpose that particular results will or may ensue
assaulted him with specific intent to kill
—
transferred intent
: intent attributed to a person who intends to cause another harm when the harm is accidentally inflicted on an unintended victim
: a doctrine in tort and criminal law: a wrongdoer who causes harm to a person other than the one intended may nevertheless be held to have intended the harmful result
2
a
: intendment see also legislative intent
b
: the purpose of a document (as a contract or will)
c
: the aim or goal of a person in creating a document or taking an action
the court's attempt to fulfill the donor's intent
the intent of the contracting parties implied by their language
see also original intent
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