are made to kill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are made to kill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing objects, weapons, or systems designed for lethal purposes. Example: "These advanced drones are made to kill, equipped with the latest targeting technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Guns are made to kill or harm.

The New York Times

The shortest gloss on the movie's plot is that twenty-four children take part in a televised spectacle in which they are made to kill each other until only one is left.

The New Yorker

Those guns are made to kill people.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The truth is: this guy is a punk who was made to kill a friend".

The New York Times

"They give the foetus to the mother and she's made to kill the baby".

The Guardian

Over the years, numerous attempts have been made to kill him.

The New Yorker

They have undergone initiations to dehumanise them, being made to kill other children or their own parents.

Independent

In private, resolutions were made to "kill this thing"; officials ominously referred to 16 August as D-day.

The Guardian

She told us how she was forced to hold people down as they were killed and once how she was made to kill another child".

The New York Times

At this point, a decision was made to kill her, and a "special squad was brought in" to carry out the operation.

The New Yorker

A host of producers and writers testified about when and why the decision was made to kill Ms. Sheridan's character.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "are made to kill", ensure the context clearly indicates the intended purpose or design for lethal action. This phrase is most effective when describing weapons, systems, or entities specifically designed for causing death.

Common error

Avoid using "are made to kill" in contexts where the purpose is not explicitly lethal. For example, describing a tool that can accidentally cause harm as "made to kill" can be misleading and overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are made to kill" functions as a passive construction indicating the intended purpose or design of something. Ludwig shows this is often used to describe weapons or systems designed for lethal action, emphasizing their inherent capability to cause death.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are made to kill" is a passive construction used to describe items or systems specifically designed for lethal purposes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and typically found in news, media, and scientific contexts. While the phrase clearly states the intended purpose of causing death, alternative phrases such as "designed for killing" or "intended for lethal use" offer subtle differences in emphasis. When employing this phrase, clarity and context are essential to ensure the intended meaning is accurately conveyed, particularly in formal or technical writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

designed for killing

Focuses on the design aspect, emphasizing that the primary function is to kill.

intended for lethal use

Highlights the intended purpose of being used for killing.

engineered to kill

Emphasizes the sophisticated or technical nature of the design for killing.

created for destruction

Shifts the focus to the destructive outcome, rather than specifically killing.

built for assassination

Specifies a particular type of killing, namely assassination.

developed as a weapon

Generalizes the purpose to weaponry, which implies killing or harm.

optimized for combat

Focuses on combat effectiveness, suggesting killing as a component.

meant to eliminate

Uses a more euphemistic term 'eliminate' instead of directly stating 'kill'.

purposed for termination

Uses a formal term 'termination' to imply the act of killing.

fashioned for taking lives

Emphasizes the taking of lives, adding a more descriptive element.

FAQs

How can I use "are made to kill" in a sentence?

Use "are made to kill" to describe items or entities specifically designed for lethal purposes. For example: "These weapons "are made to kill" efficiently and quickly."

What are some alternatives to "are made to kill"?

Alternatives include "designed for killing", "intended for lethal use", or "engineered to kill". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it appropriate to use "are made to kill" in formal writing?

Yes, it is appropriate in formal writing when describing the intended purpose of an object or system. However, consider using a more technical or euphemistic alternative like "intended for lethal use" if the context requires a more detached tone.

What is the difference between "are made to kill" and "designed to kill"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "are made to kill" emphasizes the manufacturing or creation process with the intent to kill. "Designed to kill" focuses more on the planning and conceptualization phase. The difference is subtle and they "are interchangeable" in many contexts.