for sinister ends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for sinister ends" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or intentions that are malevolent or harmful in nature. Example: "The organization was accused of manipulating information for sinister ends, aiming to create chaos and distrust among the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He did not use his money for sinister ends.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This was stimulated by the increased availability of poisons; shops known as apothecaries, selling various medicinal wares, were open to the public, and from there, substances that were traditionally used for curative purposes were employed for more sinister ends.

Wikipedia

On the deliberate and more sinister end of the spectrum are food chemistry and the psychological/emotional impact of marketing.

Harvard University

At the less sinister end of the scale, costly qualifications, such as master's degrees, which well-to-do parents can fund for their children, become entry tickets for sought-after careers.

The Guardian - Opinion

All these tales furnished Peter Shaffer with a sinister ending to his play Amadeus.

The Guardian - Music

Some are causes for sinister.

University of California, Berkeley

Fortunately, a trailer for Sinister has just been released.

The Guardian - Film

Readers looking for sinister snapshots will not be disappointed.

The New York Times - Books

Among the items on Heritage's sinister agenda: ending the Dreamer program for undocumented child migrants, withdrawing from the Paris climate accord, eliminating gender identity protections and reimposing work requirements for welfare recipients.

The Guardian - Opinion

His blithe commentary made for a sinister slideshow.

The New Yorker

The shades that line the windows are scrims for a sinister Broadway show.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for sinister ends" when you want to convey a sense of deliberate malice or evil intent behind an action or plan. It adds a dramatic and somewhat formal tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "for sinister ends" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal and somewhat dramatic tone can sound out of place in everyday contexts; consider using simpler alternatives like "for bad reasons" or "to cause trouble".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for sinister ends" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It indicates the purpose or motivation behind an action, specifically highlighting that the action is performed with evil or harmful intentions. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for sinister ends" is a prepositional phrase indicating that an action is motivated by evil or harmful intentions. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. While relatively rare, it's more frequently encountered in formal contexts like news reports or academic discussions. When a less formal tone is needed, consider alternatives such as "for nefarious reasons" or "with malicious intent". Remember that "for sinister ends" adds a touch of drama and moral condemnation to your writing. Overusing it in informal conversation might sound unnatural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for malevolent purposes

Replaces "sinister ends" with a more direct synonym for evil intentions; emphasizes the intention behind the action.

for nefarious reasons

Substitutes "sinister ends" with a phrase highlighting the wicked or criminal nature of the motives.

with malicious intent

Focuses on the deliberate and harmful intention driving the actions.

to achieve wicked goals

Emphasizes the immoral nature of the objectives being pursued.

for destructive aims

Highlights the damaging outcome intended by the actions.

in pursuit of evil objectives

Stresses the active seeking of harmful objectives.

with harmful designs

Focuses on the pre-planned nature of the harmful intentions.

to serve dark purposes

Emphasizes the ominous and secretive nature of the motives.

for immoral objectives

Highlights the lack of ethical considerations in the goals pursued.

with malevolent designs

Highlights that the design, plan or objective is malevolent.

FAQs

What does "for sinister ends" mean?

The phrase "for sinister ends" means with the intention of achieving something evil or harmful. It suggests a deliberate and malicious purpose behind an action or plan.

How can I use "for sinister ends" in a sentence?

You can use "for sinister ends" to describe a motivation or purpose, such as: "The organization was manipulating data "for sinister ends" to mislead the public."

What are some alternatives to "for sinister ends"?

Some alternatives to "for sinister ends" include "for nefarious reasons", "with malicious intent", or "to achieve wicked goals".

Is "for sinister ends" a common phrase?

No, "for sinister ends" is not a very common phrase. It's more frequently encountered in formal writing or when emphasizing the malicious intent behind an action. More common alternatives exist for everyday use.