malicious intent

USAGE SUMMARY

'malicious intent' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone has acted with the intention of causing harm or damage. For example, "The criminal was found guilty of burglary with malicious intent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The intentional misbehaviour type is further divided into selfishness and malicious intent.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

There was never malicious intent.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"There was no malicious intent behind it.

The New York Times

"There was no malicious intent," he said.

The New York Times

I laughed, but not with any malicious intent.

The New York Times

There was "no malicious intent," Mr. Browne said.

The New York Times

There was no malicious intent in the abortive competition.

The Guardian - Film

He denies any malicious intent, saying instead that he was looking for files related to UFOs.

Independent

Will you be taken on a tortuous route either through incompetence or malicious intent?

The Economist

"There was no malicious intent; there was no negligence," he said.

The New York Times

Not all apps that disappear from your Chrome browser are zapped due to malicious intent, though.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal matters or potential wrongdoing, use "malicious intent" to clearly convey that the action was not accidental or negligent, but deliberately harmful.

Common error

Avoid using "malicious intent" in casual conversation or when describing minor offenses. Simpler terms like "bad intention" or "mean-spiritedness" are more appropriate for less serious situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "malicious intent" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a specific state of mind or purpose behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "malicious intent" is a noun phrase used to describe a deliberate intention to cause harm. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used, predominantly in News & Media and Science contexts. It's crucial to reserve this phrase for situations where a clear and demonstrable intent to cause harm exists, and to avoid overuse in informal contexts where less severe terms may be more appropriate. While alternatives like "evil intent" and "ill intent" exist, "malicious intent" provides a specific and legally relevant clarity in discussions of culpability and wrongdoing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malicious purpose

Focuses on the objective or aim of the malice, rather than the mental state.

evil intent

Emphasizes the moral reprehensibility of the intention.

malign intent

A more formal and less common way of saying "malicious intent".

malevolent intent

Stronger emphasis on the desire to cause suffering and distress.

wicked intent

Similar to "evil intent" but can also suggest cleverness or cunning.

ill intent

A more general term indicating a negative or harmful purpose.

criminal intent

Specifically refers to an intention to commit a crime.

harmful intent

Highlights the potential for causing harm, whether physical or emotional.

deliberate intent

Emphasizes the conscious and planned nature of the action.

mischievous intent

Suggests a playful or less serious form of maliciousness.

FAQs

How is "malicious intent" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "malicious intent" is typically used to describe a state of mind where someone acts with the purpose of causing harm or damage. For example, "The prosecution had to prove the defendant acted with "malicious intent" to secure a conviction."

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "malicious intent"?

You can use alternatives like "evil intent", "ill intent", or "harmful intent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What distinguishes "malicious intent" from "negligence"?

"Malicious intent" implies a deliberate desire to cause harm, whereas negligence involves a failure to exercise reasonable care, without necessarily intending harm. "Malicious intent" suggests a proactive mindset toward malevolence, while negligence indicates passive recklessness.

Is there a legal definition of "malicious intent"?

Yes, in legal contexts, "malicious intent" generally refers to a state of mind where someone acts with the purpose of causing harm, injury, or damage to another person or property. Establishing "criminal intent" is often crucial for proving guilt in criminal cases.