aforethought
Considered in advance
Aforethought means thought of or planned in advance.
The word appears almost exclusively in the legal phrase malice aforethought, which describes the intent required for a murder charge—the killer planned or contemplated the act rather than acting in sudden passion.
Outside legal contexts, aforethought is rare and archaic.
Planned before acting
- deliberateConsciously chosen, not accidental
- calculatedFigured out mathematically
- intentionalDone on purpose
- plannedDecided on beforehand
purposeful · malice · scheming · plotting · contrived · designed · orchestrated · cold-blooded
State of awaiting something
- planningArranging for future events
- preparationArranging things in advance
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- forethoughtPlanning before acting
precaution · provision · consideration · prediction · forecasting · prescience · sagacity · providence
Intent to cause harm
- murderDeliberate unlawful killing
- intentPlanned purpose
- criminalPerson who breaks laws
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
liability · prosecution · homicide · manslaughter · felony · statute · jurisprudence · conviction
premeditated
Planned before acting
- deliberateConsciously chosen, not accidental
- calculatedFigured out mathematically
- intentionalDone on purpose
planned · purposeful · malice · scheming · plotting · contrived · designed · orchestrated · cold-blooded · willful
anticipation
State of awaiting something
- planningArranging for future events
- preparationArranging things in advance
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
forethought · precaution · provision · consideration · prediction · forecasting · prescience · sagacity · providence · discernment
malice
Intent to cause harm
culpability · liability · prosecution · homicide · manslaughter · felony · statute · jurisprudence · conviction · sentencing
aforethoughtunpremeditated
Without advance planning
spontaneous · impulsive · unplanned · spur-of-the-moment · impromptu
aforethoughtaccidental
Occurring by chance
unintentional · involuntary · unintended · chance · fortuitous
- malice aforethoughtPrior intent to harm
before, thought, fore, thoughtfulness, premeditation, premeditate, afore