intend
verb
in·tend in-ˈtend 
intended; intending; intends
transitive verb
1
a
: to have in mind as a purpose or goal : plan
b
: to design for a specified use or future
2
a
: signify, mean
b
: to refer to
3
: to direct the mind on
4
archaic : to proceed on (a course)
intransitive verb
archaic : set out, start
intender noun
Synonyms
- aim
- allow [chiefly Southern & Midland]
- aspire
- calculate
- contemplate
- design
- go [chiefly Southern & Midland]
- look
- mean
- meditate
- plan
- propose
- purport
- purpose
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
I didn't intend any disrespect. We intended that she come with us.
Recent Examples on the Web So does DeSantis intend to fill the empty county seat before the November election? 
Lisa J. Huriash, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2022 Yelenosky said the city doesn’t intend to purchase additional land in this area, but would like to work with the owners of the other two parcels to make sure the extended Treeworth Boulevard provides access to them. Bob Sandrick, cleveland, 30 Aug. 2022 An agency spokesman said lawmakers did not intend to put the children up for adoption. Diana Durán, Washington Post, 6 Aug. 2022 In Alabama, a felony murder charge can indicate the victim died while the accused was committing another dangerous felony, even if the accused did not intend to kill the victim or cause their death. Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 21 July 2022 The company doesn’t intend to completely pass on rising operating costs to consumers and that’s likely to hurt profit margins, Soesanto said. Jonathan Burgos, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2022 Harris has said the company does intend to get involved in the community, possibly partnering with a local law firm to help people who have past marijuana convictions getting their records expunged. Steve Lord, chicagotribune.com, 24 Mar. 2022 Henderson did not intend for this to happen, Lohmar said in court Monday, according to 5 On Your Side. Kc Baker, PEOPLE.com, 9 Mar. 2022 Manfred also said the teams do not intend to use players with minor league contacts to play major league exhibition games. oregonlive, 10 Feb. 2022 See More
Lisa J. Huriash, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2022 Yelenosky said the city doesn’t intend to purchase additional land in this area, but would like to work with the owners of the other two parcels to make sure the extended Treeworth Boulevard provides access to them. Bob Sandrick, cleveland, 30 Aug. 2022 An agency spokesman said lawmakers did not intend to put the children up for adoption. Diana Durán, Washington Post, 6 Aug. 2022 In Alabama, a felony murder charge can indicate the victim died while the accused was committing another dangerous felony, even if the accused did not intend to kill the victim or cause their death. Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 21 July 2022 The company doesn’t intend to completely pass on rising operating costs to consumers and that’s likely to hurt profit margins, Soesanto said. Jonathan Burgos, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2022 Harris has said the company does intend to get involved in the community, possibly partnering with a local law firm to help people who have past marijuana convictions getting their records expunged. Steve Lord, chicagotribune.com, 24 Mar. 2022 Henderson did not intend for this to happen, Lohmar said in court Monday, according to 5 On Your Side. Kc Baker, PEOPLE.com, 9 Mar. 2022 Manfred also said the teams do not intend to use players with minor league contacts to play major league exhibition games. oregonlive, 10 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English entenden, intenden, from Anglo-French entendre, from Latin intendere to stretch out, direct, aim at, from in- + tendere to stretch — more at thin
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3
Kids Definition
intend
verb
in·tend in-ˈtend
intended; intending
: to have in mind as a purpose or goal : plan
I intend to do better next time.
I didn't intend to hurt you.
Legal Definition
intend
transitive verb
in·tend in-ˈtend
: to have in one's mind as a purpose or goal
did not intend to kill her
intend
verb
1
as in to plan
to have in mind as a purpose or goal an aspiring entrepreneur who intends to revolutionize the biotech industry Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- plan
- aim
- mean
- try
- wish
- contemplate
- hope
- go
- propose
- look
- attempt
- purport
- purpose
- aspire
- allow
- calculate
- design
- consider
- meditate
- strive
- figure on
- accomplish
- struggle
- dream
- endeavor
- ponder
- achieve
- effect
- perform
- execute
- debate
- plot
- scheme
- mull (over)
2
as in to mean
to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind lawyers for both sides argued for days about what was intended by a particular phrase in the law Synonyms & Similar Words
- mean
- signify
- imply
- denote
- indicate
- suggest
- import
- spell
- express
- infer
- explain
- represent
- specify
- announce
- mention
- connote
- symbolize
- embody
- hint
- personify
- insinuate
- proclaim
- cite
- elucidate
- designate
- symbol
- epitomize
- intimate
- declare
- instance
- signal
- advert
- add up (to)
- allude (to)
- amount (to)
- touch (on or upon)
- point (to)
- refer (to)