bent on destruction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bent on destruction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is determined to cause harm or ruin. Example: "The villain in the story was bent on destruction, leaving a trail of chaos in his wake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The divorce process ordinarily is bad enough for the litigants, but when one of them is bent on destruction it becomes much worse emotionally, and much, much more expensive.

Huffington Post

I came looking for mullahs bent on destruction.

The Guardian

No longer is the country seething with hatred and bent on destruction.

The Economist

Second, China is not Nazi Germany, an irredeemably evil regime bent on destruction and conquest.

The Economist

At the British Museum he defeats a looter bent on destruction with a bulldozer.

The Guardian - Books

How could the vandals be so talented with paint, so artful, and yet still so bent on destruction?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Indeed, the Palestinians could have turned Gaza into "a garden of Eden"; rather, they turned it into a haven for terror with advanced weapons and a multitude of terrorist groups bent on death and destruction.

The New York Times

Israel would acquire a neighbor bent on its destruction with normalized relations with the international community.

The New York Times

You've joined people who are bent on our destruction and who are a military threat".

The Guardian

The mob had gone streaming blindly past them, bent on the destruction of the asylum.

The New York Times

There are people out there who are bent on the destruction of this country.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "bent on destruction", consider the scale of destruction implied. It suggests a comprehensive and possibly unrestrained intent to demolish or ruin, making it suitable for scenarios involving significant consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "bent on destruction" in trivial situations where the level of harm doesn't match the intensity of the phrase. It can sound exaggerated if used for minor mishaps or disagreements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bent on destruction" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, describing someone or something with a strong inclination towards causing ruin. As noted by Ludwig AI, this usage aligns with standard grammatical rules and is common in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bent on destruction" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, primarily within news and media contexts. It serves to describe someone or something with a strong inclination towards causing significant harm or ruin. When writing, consider the intensity and scale of the destruction implied by the phrase and avoid using it in trivial situations to maintain credibility. Alternatives like "intent on devastation" or "determined to demolish" can offer nuanced variations of the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intent on devastation

Emphasizes the state of ruin as the primary goal.

determined to demolish

Highlights the resolute intent to tear down or destroy.

resolved to ruin

Focuses on the settled decision to bring about someone's or something's downfall.

set on annihilation

Indicates a firm intention to completely wipe out or obliterate.

driven to decimate

Suggests a powerful urge to reduce something significantly.

focused on obliterating

Highlights the act of making something disappear completely from recognition.

hell-bent on demolishing

Adds intensity with "hell-bent", emphasizing recklessness in causing destruction.

dedicated to wrecking

Shows commitment to causing severe damage or ruin.

aiming to shatter

Focuses on the specific act of breaking something into pieces.

inclined to sabotage

Implies a tendency to deliberately undermine or obstruct.

FAQs

How can I use "bent on destruction" in a sentence?

You can use "bent on destruction" to describe a person, group, or force that is determined to cause ruin or devastation. For example: "The villain was bent on destruction, leaving chaos in his wake."

What are some alternatives to "bent on destruction"?

Some alternatives include "intent on devastation", "determined to demolish", or "resolved to ruin", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "bent on destruction" a formal or informal phrase?

"Bent on destruction" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it often adds a dramatic or intense tone to the description. It is commonly found in news articles, literature, and general discussions.

What kind of subjects are typically described as "bent on destruction"?

The phrase is often used to describe antagonists in stories, destructive forces like natural disasters, or entities perceived as threats. Examples include terrorists, rogue states, or even abstract concepts like unchecked ambition.