destructive purposes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "destructive purposes" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you are describing an action or purpose that is intended to cause harm or damage. For example: He was determined to use the powerful weapon for destructive purposes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Like any tool, offsets can be used for constructive or destructive purposes.

The Guardian

The nature of technology is that it can be used for productive as well as destructive purposes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Simultaneously menacing and absurd, dangerous and harmless, they balanced the fine line between their original destructive purposes and their new creative incarnations.

The New York Times

They could, however, help lift the veil from activities that could be misused for destructive purposes, and thus complement a future effort to strengthen the 1972 treaty.

The New York Times

Well, in case you thought that this was some random line inserted into his speech, this theme — government spending is great as long as it's for destructive purposes!

The New York Times

Unfortunately, just as a knife can be used for constructive and destructive purposes, religion can be used in positive and negative ways.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"Using anonymous social media for a negative and destructive purpose is not only cowardly but also undermines all that is good about our campus community," Nelson said.

Huffington Post

Others worry that it could be used for self-destructive purposes, like an anorexic tracking how little she eats.

BBC

These are such obvious targets for foreign intelligence to attack, either for destructive or informative purposes, that they merit special attention from our side as well, and DHS is in fact the one to provide it.

TechCrunch

Establishing non-modal-based damage indices for non-destructive damage detection purposes, using the statistical properties of signals is a worthwhile topic and so far little literature related to this aspect can be found.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

However, its purposes were destructive.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "destructive purposes", ensure the context clearly indicates the intent or potential for harm. Avoid using it in situations where the negativity is ambiguous.

Common error

Avoid using "destructive purposes" as a hyperbole when the context is not inherently negative. Save it for scenarios involving actual harm, damage, or malicious intent to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "destructive purposes" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an object of a preposition or as part of a larger clause that describes the reason or aim behind certain actions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "destructive purposes" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that denotes intentions or actions designed to cause damage or harm. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the usage analysis indicates that it appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. While not overly common, the phrase carries a neutral register and is suitable for describing scenarios involving clear negative intent. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates harm and consider alternatives like "harmful intentions" or "malicious aims" to refine the specific shade of meaning you want to convey. Avoid overuse in ambiguous contexts to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harmful intentions

Focuses on the intent behind the action, emphasizing the potential for harm.

malicious aims

Highlights the evil or wicked nature of the goals.

damaging goals

Emphasizes the negative impact and consequences of the objectives.

detrimental objectives

Stresses the adverse effects and disadvantages of the aims.

subversive motives

Indicates an intention to undermine or overthrow established systems.

devastating ends

Highlights the catastrophic results and final outcomes.

lethal objectives

Focuses on the potential for causing death or severe harm.

ruinous ambitions

Emphasizes the potential for complete destruction and collapse.

negative consequences

Shifts the focus from intent to the resulting adverse effects.

adverse outcomes

Highlights the unfavorable and harmful results.

FAQs

What does "destructive purposes" mean?

The phrase "destructive purposes" refers to intentions or actions that are designed to cause damage, harm, or destruction. It implies a deliberate effort to create negative outcomes.

How can I use "destructive purposes" in a sentence?

You can use "destructive purposes" to describe the intended use of something, such as "The weapon was created for "destructive purposes"" or to describe someone's motivations, such as "His actions were driven by "destructive purposes"".

What are some alternatives to "destructive purposes"?

Alternatives include "harmful intentions", "malicious aims", or "damaging goals", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "destructive intent" instead of "destructive purposes"?

Yes, "destructive intent" is a valid and often interchangeable phrase. While "destructive purposes" focuses on the aims or goals, "destructive intent" emphasizes the mental state or intention behind the actions.