ill-intended

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'ill-intended' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to describe someone's behavior or words which are not intended to be helpful or useful. For example: "The ill-intended comments from his coworkers made him feel uncomfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"I think it was mean-spirited and ill-intended".

The New York Times

Those exaggerations of China's power may not be ill-intended, but we should not be fooled and intoxicated by those exaggerations and praises.

The New Yorker

We must become accustomed to debating social issues in a thoroughgoing and critical way, without trading on our principles, but not confusing criticism with mindless, hurtful and sometimes ill-intended and cowardly provocation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Facebook, in general and especially compared to other Internet giants, isn't all that active when it comes to protecting users from landing on ill-intended websites based on the misspelling of its website address.

TechCrunch

They always seemed more generational than ill-intended.

Huffington Post

No one Makes Bad because they are ill-intended.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"That symbol, whether it's ill intended or not, is not bringing people together".

Huffington Post

I am not saying that the Mars Hill effort is ill intended, and I have no doubt that at some level it will involve providing food, shelter and medical care to people in dire need.

Huffington Post

Although most of the comments were not ill intended, what the commenters did not realize was the damaging effect that their remarks may have on a person who may be sensitive to body image issues.

Huffington Post

Provided they haven't been inadvertently put out of business by well-intended but ill-thought-out legislation.

The Guardian

At the time Mr Horton was serving a life sentence without the chance of parole for stabbing a petrol-station attendant 19 times; he was free on a "weekend furlough" as part of a well-intended but ill-advised programme Massachusetts program.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure clarity by specifying who or what is the target of the "ill-intended" action or statement.

Common error

Don't use "ill-intended" interchangeably with "unintentional". "Ill-intended" implies a degree of malice or negativity, whereas "unintentional" simply means something was not planned or meant to happen.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ill-intended" functions as a compound adjective, modifying nouns to describe actions, statements, or entities characterized by harmful or negative intentions. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ill-intended" is a grammatically sound compound adjective used to describe actions or statements driven by harmful or negative intentions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in written English, predominantly found in news and media contexts. While synonyms like "malicious" or "harmful" exist, "ill-intended" offers a more general way to express negative motivations. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the target of the intention and considering whether a stronger term might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with harmful intent

Directly states the presence of an intention to cause harm.

maliciously intended

Emphasizes a deliberate intention to cause harm or suffering.

with malicious purpose

Similar to "with harmful intent" but emphasizes the deliberate and planned nature of the malice.

badly motivated

Focuses on the negative motivations behind an action or statement.

designed to harm

Focuses on the design or planning aspect of causing harm.

malevolent in purpose

Highlights the evil or harmful nature of the intended goal.

calculated to hurt

Highlights the deliberate calculation involved in causing emotional or physical pain.

unwell-wishing

A more direct and informal way of saying someone desires bad things for another.

evil-minded

Refers to someone having a depraved or wicked mind.

with negative intentions

A more general way of expressing that the intentions behind something are not positive.

FAQs

How can I use "ill-intended" in a sentence?

You can use "ill-intended" to describe actions, words, or policies. For example, "The "ill-intended shove" caused a scene" or "His "ill-intended comments" hurt her feelings".

What's the difference between "ill-intended" and "malicious"?

"Ill-intended" is a more general term suggesting a negative or harmful purpose. "Malicious" implies a stronger desire to cause harm or suffering, often with a more deliberate and spiteful motivation.

What are some synonyms for "ill-intended"?

Synonyms for "ill-intended" include "maliciously intended", "badly motivated", and "with harmful intent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "ill-intended" always negative?

Yes, "ill-intended" always carries a negative connotation, implying that the intention behind an action or statement is harmful, unhelpful, or negative in some way.