malicious intentions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "malicious intentions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or thoughts that are intended to cause harm or suffering to others. Example: "The hacker was found to have malicious intentions, aiming to steal sensitive information from the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

On Saturday, Mr. Erdogan claimed that the protests were carried out "with malicious intentions".

The New York Times

By everyone's admission — from Lund's to those of the antidoping agencies — he harbored no malicious intentions.

The New York Times - Sports

But journalists have been told …" "A source with malicious intentions is the same as an invention".

The Guardian - Sport

Collins, who was charged with a flagrant foul, said he had no malicious intentions, and the Knicks agreed that it was nothing more than a hard foul.

The New York Times - Sports

In giving his verdict, Judge Bertram Schmitt said the teenagers might not have specifically intended to kill but had malicious intentions.

The New York Times

His 1943 novel "Donovan's Brain," about a disembodied brain with malicious intentions, became a cult favorite and is still in print.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

"Against this malicious intention, leading world powers need to display determination and not weakness.

The Guardian

Fox, the network that broadcasts the show, said that it felt the viewers' pain, but that there was no malicious intention to thwart DVR users.

The New York Times

"There is an investigation now to determine if the two men were rebels seeking to hide weapons in Jordan, or that they smuggled them in with the malicious intention of staging attacks here," the official said.

The New York Times

"Perhaps without this malicious intention, torture would not hurt as much," he says.

Science Magazine

When a Victim kills an Aggressor in self-defense, this killing occurs before the Aggressor has actualized his malicious intention.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal matters or describing criminal behavior, use "malicious intentions" to clearly convey the deliberate nature of harmful actions.

Common error

Avoid using "malicious intentions" in everyday conversation or informal writing. Simpler terms like "bad intentions" or "harmful motives" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "malicious intentions" functions as a noun phrase, where "malicious" is an adjective modifying the noun "intentions". It describes the nature or quality of the intentions, indicating they are harmful or evil. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "malicious intentions" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote harmful or evil intent. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in English writing. While predominantly found in news, science, and wiki contexts, its formal tone makes it less suitable for casual conversation. When aiming to convey deliberate harm, consider using "malicious intentions" but be mindful of the context to ensure appropriateness. Alternatives like "evil motives" or "harmful designs" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evil motives

Emphasizes the underlying motives as being evil or wicked.

harmful designs

Focuses on the planned aspect of the harmful intent.

malevolent purposes

Highlights the malevolent nature of the intended goals.

wicked schemes

Implies elaborate and cunning plans with bad intentions.

destructive aims

Stresses the potential for destruction inherent in the intentions.

pernicious designs

Highlights the subtle yet harmful nature of the intentions.

sinister plans

Suggests a more mysterious and threatening form of intent.

nefarious goals

Implies illegal or immoral aims.

diabolical purposes

Emphasizes extreme wickedness in the intended goals.

spiteful aims

Focuses on the spiteful nature driving the intentions.

FAQs

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

You can use "malicious intentions" to describe someone's deliberate aim to cause harm, for example: "The evidence suggested the defendant acted with "malicious intentions" when tampering with the equipment".

What are some alternatives to "malicious intentions"?

Alternatives include "evil motives", "harmful designs", or "malevolent purposes" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "bad intentions" and "malicious intentions"?

"Bad intentions" is a more general term, while "malicious intentions" implies a deliberate and spiteful desire to cause harm.

Is it appropriate to use "malicious intentions" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "malicious intentions" is more suited for formal or serious contexts. In informal settings, consider using phrases like "bad intentions" or "harmful motives".