malicious purposes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "malicious purposes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or intentions that are intended to cause harm or injury to others. Example: "The software was designed with malicious purposes in mind, aiming to steal personal information from users."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What if someone used it for malicious purposes?

Harvard Business Review

Hackers distinguish themselves from "crackers -- those who use programming prowess for mischief or malicious purposes.

Harvard University

(7) Falsifying information during a privacy investigation or reporting in bad faith or for malicious purposes.

Stanford University

China has the means, opportunity, and motive to use telecommunications companies for malicious purposes.

Stanford University

However, obfuscation can be use both for benign and malicious purposes.

Advances in Computers

"China has the means, opportunity, and motive to use telecommunications companies for malicious purposes," the report says.

The Guardian - Tech

"[There is a] difference between malicious code, as opposed to technology that can be used for malicious purposes," Weafer says.

MIT Technology Review

"We currently have 2.85 million domain names and cannot exclude that individual users might be using domain names for malicious purposes".

The New York Times - Tech

If an attacker gets hold of the password, via malware or other means, the compromised account can then be used for malicious purposes.

The Economist

His actions have animated the debate about so-called "cyberjacking"—the ability to take control of aircraft remotely, or interfere with aircraft systems for malicious purposes.

The Economist

And third-party keyboards would be a gigantic target for hackers who would try to create innocent-looking ones with malicious purposes.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing potential risks or vulnerabilities, clearly specify what "malicious purposes" might entail in the given context to provide a comprehensive understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "malicious purposes" as a vague descriptor. Instead of simply stating that something could be used for "malicious purposes", specify the exact type of harm that could result, such as data theft or system disruption.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "malicious purposes" functions as a noun phrase that describes the intention behind an action, typically referring to activities designed to cause harm, damage, or disruption. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and broadly applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

27%

Academia

23%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

16%

Encyclopedias

13%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "malicious purposes" is widely and correctly used to describe intentions aimed at causing harm or damage. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for various formal and neutral contexts, appearing frequently in news, academic, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, it’s best to specify the potential harm involved rather than relying on it as a vague descriptor. Consider alternatives such as "harmful intentions" or "nefarious aims" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malicious intent

Similar to the original phrase, but uses the singular form of intent.

harmful intentions

Focuses on the intent behind the action, emphasizing potential damage or injury.

evil designs

Emphasizes a premeditated and sinister plan.

nefarious aims

Highlights the wickedness and illegality of the intended goals.

criminal intents

Specifically denotes intentions that violate the law.

malevolent goals

Emphasizes the ill will and desire to cause harm.

destructive objectives

Focuses on the damaging outcome of the planned actions.

illicit purposes

Highlights the forbidden or unlawful nature of the objectives.

sinister motives

Focuses on the underlying reasons for the actions, implying a hidden and threatening agenda.

corrupt objectives

Emphasizes the immorality and dishonesty of the aims.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "malicious purposes"?

Alternatives include "harmful intentions", "evil designs", or "nefarious aims", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Example: "The vulnerability in the software could be exploited for "malicious purposes", leading to significant data breaches."

Is "malicious purposes" formal or informal language?

The phrase "malicious purposes" is suitable for both formal and professional contexts. It's common in legal, technical, and business writing.

What is the difference between "malicious intent" and "malicious purposes"?

"Malicious intent" refers to the mental state or intention to cause harm, while "malicious purposes" refers to the specific objectives or goals pursued with harmful intent. The former describes the why, the latter describes the what.