malicious smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "malicious smile" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a smile as being insincere and conveying hidden hostility or malicious intent. For example, "She gave him a malicious smile as he walked away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Though naturally eager to protect their own published words, and not above a malicious smile or two when others get caught, most authors recognise that this is boggy ground.

The Economist

"If you only had a brain," Old Brooks is singing, a malicious smile on his chubbier face, his brown hair combed over neatly, not cropped short with scabby scars across the scalp.

The New Yorker

We see a malicious smile spread across Lewis' face... it seems as though we'll be seeing more of Lewis in the future.

Huffington Post

From the malicious smile on her face and the wicked glint in her eyes, it was obvious that she was enjoying tearing a woman to pieces with her words.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Mesrine defiantly chooses crime over workaday labor and soon becomes the protégé and later the partner of Guido (a terrific Gérard Depardieu), a hulking mob boss with a malicious little smile and a vicious temperament.

The New York Times

The creatures were like humans, with limbs, a torso, and a face, but also demonic and malicious with sardonic smiles and soulless eyes.

Vice

The pathologically cruel Felix Shaw is one of Australian literature's most malicious villains, a man who "never, never smiled", and is likened to the mythical misogynist Bluebeard.

The Guardian - Books

The figures move robotically while smiling diabolically, looking like caricatures of malicious intent.

Vice

And when we talked about my decision he didn't condemn it directly, but he gave me a very peculiar smile -- sad and a little bit malicious.

The New Yorker

Brushing the inquiry aside, Auden paused for a moment before saying with a smile that he always suspected questions of that kind of having some malicious purpose.

The Guardian - Books

Her smile is warm and pleasant and nothing about her seems dangerous or malicious.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "malicious smile" to vividly portray a character's insincerity and hidden hostility, adding depth to your narrative by suggesting underlying ill intentions.

Common error

Avoid overusing "malicious smile" for obviously evil characters; its power lies in suggesting hidden, subtle intent rather than blatant wickedness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "malicious smile" functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying the noun "smile" with the adjective "malicious". It vividly portrays the nature of the smile as insincere and malevolent. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "malicious smile" is a descriptive term used to portray a smile that is insincere and conveys hidden hostility or ill intent. As Ludwig confirms, the expression is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in written English, particularly in descriptive contexts. While not an everyday expression, it effectively adds depth to narratives by suggesting underlying malevolence. The phrase most frequently appears in News & Media. Related phrases, such as "evil grin" or "wicked smile", can be used to provide similar connotations while varying the descriptive language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evil grin

Replaces "smile" with "grin" to emphasize a broader, more exaggerated expression of malice.

wicked smile

Substitutes "malicious" with "wicked", suggesting a playful yet malevolent intent.

devious smile

Replaces "malicious" with "devious", highlighting the cunning or scheming nature of the smile.

sinister smile

Uses "sinister" instead of "malicious" to imply a more ominous and threatening feeling.

cruel smile

Substitutes "malicious" with "cruel", focusing on the heartless and pitiless nature of the smile.

sardonic grin

Combines "sardonic" (mocking) with "grin" for a contemptuous expression.

smug smirk

Replaces "smile" with "smirk", suggesting self-satisfaction and arrogance, and "malicious" with "smug".

vindictive smile

Emphasizes the revengeful intent behind the smile.

a smile full of malice

Rephrases the expression to emphasize the presence of malice within the smile.

a smile that radiated malice

Rephrases the expression to emphasize how the malice is expressed through the smile.

FAQs

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

You can use "malicious smile" to describe a smile that conveys hidden hostility or malicious intent. For example, "She gave him a "malicious smile" as he walked away".

What are some alternatives to "malicious smile"?

Alternatives include "evil grin", "wicked smile", or "devious smile", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "malicious smile"?

Yes, "malicious smile" is grammatically correct as it combines an adjective ("malicious") with a noun ("smile") to form a descriptive phrase.

What's the difference between a "malicious smile" and a "sardonic grin"?

A "malicious smile" implies ill intent or hidden hostility, while a "sardonic grin" suggests mockery, cynicism, or bitter contempt.