Premeditated

Premeditated describes an action, usually a negative one, that has been planned or thought out in advance. It suggests a deliberate decision or intention, often with malice or forethought. The act is not spontaneous or impulsive but rather carefully considered, weighing the consequences before execution. The planning phase may involve gathering information, formulating a strategy, or creating conditions to facilitate the outcome. This implies a degree of cold calculation and intent, making the action more serious in its nature or impact. The implication is that the actor had time to reflect on the proposed action and, with a clear state of mind, elected to proceed.

Premeditated meaning with examples

• The prosecution argued the murder was premeditated, pointing to the months spent planning the crime, acquiring a weapon, and rehearsing the escape. Evidence presented included detailed maps, emails outlining a schedule, and statements made prior to the event. The defense attempted to paint a picture of impulsive rage; however, the jury found the meticulous planning confirmed the accusation of premeditation, leading to a severe sentence.
• The embezzlement scheme was revealed to be a premeditated fraud. The accountant had opened offshore accounts, falsified records over several years, and established a complex network to funnel funds. Investigators uncovered evidence of a planned timeline of transactions, with regular transfer of capital to several untraceable accounts, making the case clear of pre-meditated intent to steal from the company's financial reserves.
• Before the protest, the group's leaders engaged in premeditated acts to cause civil disruption. They had organized supply routes for Molotov cocktails, distributed incendiary devices, and created a specific plan to block major highways to cause maximum impact. The authorities, aware of this planned action, were prepared with riot control measures to subdue the riot as the planning phase showed no room for peaceful protest.
• The chess grandmaster's win was attributed to his premeditated strategy. Every move was calculated, with foresight extending many turns ahead. He had studied his opponent's previous games, identified their weaknesses, and structured his attack to exploit these vulnerabilities. His strategic decisions, evident across several moves, gave the impression of not luck but rather an exact, pre-planned scenario.