malign intentions

USAGE SUMMARY

"malign intentions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone's intentions that are malicious or harmful. For example, "The criminal had malign intentions to harm his victims".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Destroying states without such malign intentions produces more conventional disasters.

The Guardian

Farage responded by denying the malign intentions attributed to him.

The Guardian - Opinion

If he advocated respect for French law along with observance of Islam, this was further evidence of his malign intentions.

The New Yorker

"So his father was worried about what would happen, because Isis and others who have malign intentions were around the corner waiting, wanting to recruit".

The Guardian

Gwendolyn Jones's performance provides a resolute woman who takes wickedness as a matter of course and throws off her malign intentions with superb vocal aplomb.

The New York Times

A few of our more senior contacts hint at similar malign intentions "by some neighbors," making clear without being explicit that they are referring to Saudi Arabia.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Apparently taken aback by the protest, university officials have defended themselves by denying any malign intention.

The New York Times

They're rarely associated with malign intent.

The Guardian - Film

The answer he finds is that the clause forbids discrimination on the basis of race, whether that discrimination is benign or malign in intention.

The New York Times

You can never tell if a piece of visual information -- a face glimpsed in a crowded elevator, a car parked at the edge of the screen -- is a clue or a red herring, or if an apparent coincidence is really the result of some malign, unseen intention.

The New York Times

What does the Joshua tree want from this girl, and are its intentions malign, do you think?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "malign intentions", ensure the context clearly supports the assertion of malicious or harmful intent. Provide evidence or reasoning to justify the claim.

Common error

Avoid using "malign intentions" casually or without sufficient evidence. Overusing strong language can weaken your argument and make you appear biased.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "malign intentions" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "malign" modifies the noun "intentions". It specifies the nature or quality of the intentions, indicating they are harmful or evil. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "malign intentions" is a phrase used to describe harmful or evil purposes, validated by Ludwig as grammatically correct and usable. It functions as a noun phrase and its purpose is to accuse or suggest that someone has harmful or evil purposes. The phrase is most common in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While synonyms like "malicious intentions" or "evil designs" exist, "malign intentions" carries a distinct connotation of deliberate and potentially destructive purpose. When using the phrase, ensure clear justification, avoiding casual overuse. With its authoritative presence in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, "malign intentions" remains a potent and relevant expression in formal language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malicious intentions

Replaces "malign" with "malicious", emphasizing a desire to do evil.

evil designs

Substitutes both words with synonyms highlighting wickedness and planning.

sinister motives

Replaces "intentions" with "motives", shifting focus to the underlying reasons, and "malign" with "sinister", suggesting a threatening nature.

wicked purposes

Emphasizes moral depravity with "wicked" instead of "malign" and replaces "intentions" with "purposes", highlighting a predetermined aim.

harmful objectives

Focuses on the potential damage using "harmful" and replaces "intentions" with "objectives", emphasizing a specific goal.

destructive aims

Highlights the potential for devastation, swapping "malign" for "destructive" and "intentions" for "aims".

nefarious plans

Uses "nefarious" to convey extreme wickedness and "plans" to emphasize a detailed scheme.

malevolent goals

Replaces "malign" with "malevolent", stressing ill will, and "intentions" with "goals", specifying a desired outcome.

pernicious schemes

Uses "pernicious" to highlight the subtle but harmful nature and replaces "intentions" with "schemes", implying cunning and deceit.

baleful objectives

Replaces "malign" with "baleful", highlighting a threatening or destructive quality, and "intentions" with "objectives", emphasizing a specific goal.

FAQs

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

"Malign intentions" describes a state of mind focused on causing harm or evil. For example, "The dictator's actions revealed his "malign intentions" towards his own people".

What are some synonyms for "malign intentions"?

Alternatives to "malign intentions" include "malicious intentions", "evil designs", or "sinister motives", each carrying slightly different connotations of harm and purpose.

Is "malign intentions" a formal or informal phrase?

"Malign intentions" is suitable for formal and neutral contexts. While understood in informal settings, it is more commonly found in news, academic writing, and professional discussions.

What's the difference between "malign intentions" and "bad intentions"?

"Malign intentions" suggests a deeper, more sinister level of harmful intent than simply "bad intentions". "Malign" implies a deliberate and potentially destructive purpose, while "bad" can encompass a broader range of negative motivations.