dark desires

USAGE SUMMARY

"dark desires" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts discussing taboo, forbidden, or intense emotions and cravings. Example: "She was haunted by her dark desires, which she struggled to suppress." Alternative expressions include "sinister cravings," "forbidden longings," and "shadowy yearnings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

We all have dark desires.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

No one detected hidden or dark desires in him.

The New York Times - Magazine

Exploring dark desires is something at which Ogawa has become disconcertingly adept.

The New York Times - Books

Marren's research, however, reveals a long tradition of butterflies representing dark desires, fallen angels, temptation and death.

The Guardian - Film

The fears, or secret dark desires, of Martin and his contemporaries were rooted in imagination, not reality.

The Guardian - Arts

All dark desires, untamable impulses, ambivalent feelings and contradictory thoughts would then be considered failures of the outside world, imperfections in the social order that could be controlled or legislated away.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The twist is that Leibgeber is actually Siebenkäs — the uncanny manifestation of some dark desire.

The New Yorker

No, Mr. Ross, I do not feel 'daggers of dark desire piercing to one's very soul'!" (Not an actual quotation).

The New Yorker

A classic outsider, his emotionally raw music – quite out of step with male singers at that time – dealt in loneliness, fear and dark desire.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It can be read, and has been read, as a psychological thriller about a beautiful, fashionable woman (Catherine Deneuve), who is stifled in her comfortable life and frigid marriage and conceives a dark desire to work in a high-class brothel on her leisured afternoons, only to see her wealthy world endangered when one of the clients follows her home.

The Guardian - Film

Tilda Swinton and Mia Wasikowska, meanwhile, make deliciously infernal sisters in an oddball story of dark desire and bloodlust that offers a mischievous spin on the Twilight series' teenage love triangle.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve this phrase for creative writing, psychological analysis or cultural critiques rather than technical or business reports where more literal language like "unethical motivations" or "illicit preferences" might be appropriate.

Common error

Do not use "dark desires" to describe mundane preferences or slight deviations in taste. Calling a preference for black coffee a "dark desire" can come across as hyperbolic or unintentionally comedic. Ensure the gravity of the subject matter matches the intensity of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dark desires" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the direct object of a sentence. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used to represent abstract psychological states or hidden facets of a character's personality. It follows standard English adjective-noun agreement and is universally accepted as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Analyzing the search data from Ludwig reveals that "dark desires" is a well-established and evocative phrase used across high-tier journalism and literature. It effectively captures the tension between societal expectations and hidden, often taboo, human cravings. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its prevalence in cultural and psychological discourse. While it should be used carefully to avoid melodrama in casual contexts, it remains a sophisticated choice for adding depth to narratives or critiques involving human motivations and the darker side of the psyche.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sinister longings

Suggests a more malevolent or evil intent behind the cravings

forbidden urges

Emphasizes the taboo or prohibited nature of the feelings

shadowy cravings

Uses metaphorical language to suggest something hidden or unclear

nefarious wants

Implies that the desires are specifically aimed at doing harm

twisted appetites

Suggests a psychological distortion or perversion of natural desires

unholy impulses

Adds a religious or moralistic weight to the description

wicked intentions

Focuses more on the planned outcome rather than just the feeling

illicit yearnings

Highlights the illegal or socially unacceptable aspect of the desire

macabre inclinations

Specifically refers to desires related to death or the gruesome

shameful instincts

Focuses on the internal feeling of guilt associated with the desire

FAQs

How do I use "dark desires" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe hidden motivations, such as: "The protagonist was haunted by his "dark desires" and the fear that they would one day consume him."

What can I say instead of "dark desires"?

Depending on the tone, you can use phrases like "forbidden urges", "sinister longings" or "shadowy cravings".

Is "dark desires" a formal expression?

It is generally considered neutral to literary. While it appears in high-quality journalism, it is more likely to be found in arts, culture and psychology sections rather than in formal legal or financial documents.

What's the difference between "dark desires" and "evil intentions"?

"dark desires" refers to internal cravings that are often suppressed or hidden, whereas "evil intentions" suggests a conscious plan to cause harm to others.