malicious deed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "malicious deed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that is intended to cause harm or suffering to others. Example: "The investigation revealed that the suspect had committed a malicious deed, targeting innocent victims for personal gain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I wouldn't think we created a big enough profile to spawn a malicious deed like this," said Mr. Goldberg, the congregation's president.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But there are also rogue ActiveX controls that secretly install software on your computer or do other malicious deeds.

The New York Times - Tech

Here's the thing, Microsoft makes a big deal about protecting software from attackers who turn computers into a bot that the criminals can control and do malicious deeds.

TechCrunch

Although the title may suggest a malicious parody of Frank Capra's populist classics "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," Ian McCrudden's "Mr. Smith Gets a Hustler" is a straightforward and straight-faced exercise in canned theater that owes much less to 1930's comedy than to Off Broadway drama of the 1970's.

The New York Times

I wasn't trying to be malicious, but I honestly hadn't even considered their well-being until the deed was done.

Vice

Malicious distribution.

The New York Times

Malicious detachment.

The New York Times

Many were malicious.

The New Yorker

Malicious exosomes.

Nature

It was nothing malicious.

Independent

"This is a malicious lie.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "malicious deed", ensure the context clearly establishes the intent to cause harm or suffering. The word "malicious" emphasizes the deliberate nature of the act.

Common error

Avoid using "malicious deed" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound stilted or overly dramatic. Opt for simpler, more direct language like "harmful act" or "mean thing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "malicious deed" functions as a noun phrase where "malicious" is an adjective modifying the noun "deed". It refers to an act or action that is characterized by malice or the intention to do evil, often used in contexts where blame or culpability is assigned. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "malicious deed" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe an action carried out with the intention of causing harm. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While technically accurate, its formality means it's relatively rare in everyday speech, with a usage frequency qualified as "Rare". Predominantly found within the contexts of "News & Media" and "Academia", "malicious deed" serves to condemn a specific action and emphasize its malicious intent. If one seeks to replace the phrase, alternatives like "harmful act" or "evil action" may be considered, depending on the specific nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harmful act

Replaces "malicious" with a more general term for causing harm, making it slightly less intense.

evil action

Substitutes "malicious" with "evil", intensifying the negative connotation.

malevolent act

Replaces both words with synonyms, maintaining a formal and negative tone.

wicked deed

Uses "wicked" as a synonym for "malicious", providing a slightly archaic feel.

nefarious act

Employs "nefarious" to emphasize the immoral or criminal nature of the action.

cruel act

Focuses on the aspect of causing suffering, making it emotionally charged.

vicious act

Highlights the violent or aggressive nature of the deed.

despicable act

Emphasizes the contemptible nature of the deed.

atrocious deed

Highlights the shocking and exceptionally brutal aspect of the action.

heinous crime

Shifts from "deed" to "crime", specifically indicating a serious violation of the law.

FAQs

What does "malicious deed" mean?

A "malicious deed" refers to an action that is intentionally harmful or evil. The term "malicious" implies a deliberate intent to cause damage or suffering.

How can I use "malicious deed" in a sentence?

You can use "malicious deed" to describe an act that someone commits with the intention of causing harm. For example, "The investigation revealed that the suspect had committed a malicious deed, targeting innocent victims for personal gain."

What are some alternatives to "malicious deed"?

You can use alternatives like "harmful act", "evil action", or "malevolent act" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "malicious deed" a commonly used phrase?

While grammatically correct, "malicious deed" is not as common as simpler alternatives like "harmful act". It's more often found in formal writing or when emphasizing the deliberate nature of the harmful action.