meant to kill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meant to kill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an intention or purpose behind an action that is lethal or harmful. Example: "The poison was specifically formulated and meant to kill any pests that came into contact with it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"They're meant to kill.

The New York Times

"They meant to kill him".

The New Yorker

"It is meant to kill them".

The New York Times

We are not meant to kill.

The New York Times

"They meant to kill this person".

The Guardian

But these men meant to kill her.

The New York Times

Naomi Dobbyy never meant to kill.

The Guardian

He said "I meant to kill him.

The New Yorker

After some thought he said, "I meant to kill him".

The New Yorker

My brother: I never meant to kill your pet frog.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The chokehold is meant to kill the bill.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "meant to kill", ensure the context clearly establishes the intended target or purpose of the action. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "meant to kill" in contexts where the action unintentionally leads to death. Use alternatives like "resulted in death" or "caused a fatality" to accurately convey the unintended consequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meant to kill" functions as a modifier, typically describing the intended purpose or design of something. It often follows a noun or pronoun to specify that the primary function or goal is to cause death. Ludwig shows this phrase is considered correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "meant to kill" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the intended purpose of causing death. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to emphasize the lethal nature of an action or object. While versatile, clarity in its usage is key to avoid misinterpretation of unintended consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage, further validating its place in various forms of communication. The suggested alternatives, such as "intended to kill" or "designed to kill", offer similar meanings with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended to kill

Synonymous replacement, focuses on the intention behind the act.

designed to kill

Emphasizes the planning or engineering aspect of causing death.

purposed to kill

A more formal alternative emphasizing the pre-determined aim.

created for killing

Highlights the origin or reason for existence related to lethal actions.

engineered for death

Focuses on the technical design with the specific outcome being death.

with the purpose of killing

Expands on the intent, explicitly stating the goal is to kill.

aimed at killing

Indicates a direction or target towards causing death.

set out to kill

Describes an active effort and initiation of a plan to cause death.

destined to kill

Implies a pre-ordained or inevitable outcome of killing.

built for lethal purposes

Highlights the construction or manufacturing process with the intent of lethality.

FAQs

How can I use "meant to kill" in a sentence?

You can use "meant to kill" to describe the intended purpose of something or someone. For example, "The weapon was "designed to kill" as many people as possible".

What are some alternatives to "meant to kill"?

Alternatives include "intended to kill", "designed to kill", or "purposed to kill", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was meant to kill" instead of "meant to kill"?

Yes, both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Meant to kill" describes the inherent purpose, while "was meant to kill" describes a past intention or plan.

What is the difference between "aimed at killing" and "meant to kill"?

"Aimed at killing" suggests a direction or target towards causing death, while "meant to kill" implies a more general purpose or design. The former is more specific in its targeting.