Vocabulary Spotlight
Calculated
Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Done with careful planning or intent; deliberate and premeditated.
“His move to change companies was a calculated decision aimed at career growth.”
Pronunciation
[kal-kyuh-ley-tid]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Premeditated
Intentional
Planned
Strategic
Antonyms
Impulsive
Unplanned
Random
Haphazard
Related Words
Intent (noun)
Forethought (noun)
Word Origin
“Calculated” comes from the Latin “calculatus,” the past participle of “calculare,” meaning “to count” or “to reckon.” It entered English in the 16th century and evolved to describe actions done with forethought or planning.
Word Family
Noun: Calculation – The process of planning or thinking something through.
Adjective: Calculated – Done with intent or careful planning.
Verb: Calculate – To determine or plan by thought, estimate, or reckoning.
Mnemonics
Considered Action Leads Confidently Under Long Analysis To Expected Decisions
This mnemonic emphasizes that calculated actions are carefully planned and executed with intent.
Industry-specific Usage
Business
In business, calculated risks are those that have been carefully analyzed, where potential benefits outweigh the downsides.
Law
In legal contexts, calculated actions imply premeditation, which can impact judgments regarding intent and responsibility.
Medicine
In medicine, calculated decisions refer to carefully considered treatments based on extensive patient evaluation and prognosis.
In Context
In daily life, making calculated decisions helps people weigh the pros and cons before taking significant actions, reducing regret or unnecessary risk.
In finance, investments are often calculated to ensure that the potential return justifies the risk.
In sports, calculated plays or strategies are those carefully designed to exploit the opponents’ weaknesses or maximize scoring potential.