well-intentioned
/'welin'ten nd/ Cách viết khác : (well-meant) /'wel'ment/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: Having or showing good intentions; meaning to do something helpful or kind, even if the results are not always successful or positive. It describes a person or action motivated by a desire to be helpful, without implying that the outcome was effective or appropriate.
Usage and Examples
The word "well-intentioned" is used to describe a person, an action, or an effort that is motivated by kindness or a desire to help, but which may be misguided, ineffective, or even cause unintended problems.
Describing a person:
- He is a well-intentioned man, but his advice is often impractical.
- The well-intentioned volunteer accidentally offended some of the local residents.
Describing an action or effort:
- Her well-intentioned attempt to fix the computer only made the problem worse.
- The new policy was a well-intentioned effort to improve communication.
Advanced Usage
- Nuance of Outcome: The word often carries an implicit contrast between good motives and poor results. It can soften criticism by acknowledging the positive intent.
- It was a well-intentioned comment, but it came across as insensitive.
- As an Adverb: The related adverb "well-intentionedly" is less common but can be used.
- He acted well-intentionedly, though mistakenly.
Variants and Related Words
- Well-meaning: A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "well-intentioned."
- a well-meaning friend
- Well-meant: Typically used to describe a specific action, comment, or gift that was offered with good intentions.
- a well-meant piece of advice
Synonyms
- Meaning well: Having good intentions.
- Benevolent: Well-meaning and kindly (often stronger, with less focus on potential failure).
- Kindhearted: Having a kind and sympathetic nature.
Antonyms
- Malicious: Intending to do harm.
- Ill-intentioned: Having bad intentions.
- Calculating: Acting in a scheming and often selfish way.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- The road to hell is paved with good intentions: A proverb meaning that good intentions do not necessarily lead to good outcomes and can sometimes cause harm. This idiom captures the potential pitfall often associated with being "well-intentioned."
- His well-intentioned reforms had disastrous consequences, proving that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Adjective
- marked by good intentions though often producing unfortunate results
- a well-intentioned but clumsy waiter
- a well-meaning but tactless fellow
- the son's well-meaning efforts threw a singular chill upon the father's admirers- S.W.Maughm
- blunt but well-meant criticism