nefarious intents

USAGE SUMMARY

'nefarious intents' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to a particular plan or intention that is deliberately deceptive or harmful. For example, "The criminal mastermind had nefarious intents of taking over the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the west, freedom of speech is threatened more by "indifference and sloth," he added, "which is then exploited by those with nefarious intents, be it politicians, the police, transnational corporations and so on.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Right-wing outlets are again writing that a "horde of international bureaucrats" will descend on the polls with nefarious intent.

The Washington Post

Even a venipuncture (say, for tissue typing) could be conceived of as shpikhut damim, a spilling of blood with nefarious intent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The purpose of attributing a nefarious intent to the accused executive's public self-defense is to create victims for a jury.

The New York Times

In his fourth thriller under the name Sam Bourne, Jonathan Freedland invests the scheme with nefarious intent; though of course, it's a while before the reader knows of its existence.

The Guardian - Books

When critics of the House health care bill attack it, they often bring up its length, as if the number of pages signifies nefarious intent.

The New York Times

The note did not include information about why the company had decided to pull out of Israel, but its tone suggested a nefarious intent.

The New York Times

The inspector general reviewed that gap, hoping to determine how it happened and, if possible, whether there was any nefarious intent.

The Washington Post

In theory, anyone with nefarious intent and the requisite training in molecular biology could recreate the virus from the sequence published on the Internet.

The New York Times - Magazine

After an ongoing slanging match with columnist Andrew Bolt, the communications minister did a prearranged interview with Jones, who also saw nefarious intent in Turnbull's dinner last week with Clive Palmer.

The Guardian

A sport whose 18th century roots reside in landowners' passion for matches between their staff – so the squires could have something to bet on – was always going to be vulnerable to nefarious intent.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nefarious intents", ensure the context clearly establishes the planned nature of the evil actions. It is best used to describe calculated, rather than impulsive, wrongdoing.

Common error

Avoid using "nefarious intents" in everyday conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone and strong connotation of evil are better suited to serious or dramatic contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nefarious intents" functions as a noun phrase, describing the specific nature of planned actions. It is used to characterize intentions as particularly evil or wicked. As Ludwig notes, the phrase is grammatically correct, although relatively rare.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nefarious intents" is a noun phrase used to describe planned actions that are exceptionally evil or malicious. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness. Although relatively rare in overall usage, its primary context is within News & Media, reflecting a formal and analytical tone. Alternatives like "malicious intentions" or "evil designs" can be used to convey similar meanings, while ensuring the phrase is appropriately employed in contexts that warrant its strong and deliberate connotation of wrongdoing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malicious intentions

Replaces "nefarious" with its synonym "malicious", maintaining the core meaning of evil intent.

evil designs

Substitutes "intents" with "designs", emphasizing a planned and sinister scheme.

sinister motives

Uses "motives" to highlight the underlying reasons for the nefarious actions.

wicked purposes

Replaces both words to convey immorality and intent.

criminal schemes

Focuses on the illegal nature of the intended actions.

devious plans

Emphasizes the deceitful and underhanded nature of the intentions.

dishonorable goals

Highlights the lack of integrity in the pursued objectives.

corrupt aims

Indicates that the intentions are tainted by corruption and moral decay.

immoral objectives

Focuses on the lack of moral principles guiding the intentions.

scandalous ambitions

Highlights the potential for public disgrace and outrage associated with the intentions.

FAQs

How can I use "nefarious intents" in a sentence?

You can use "nefarious intents" to describe plans or intentions that are deliberately evil or harmful. For example: "The villain was known for his "malicious intentions" and elaborate schemes."

What are some alternatives to "nefarious intents"?

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

Is "nefarious intents" a formal or informal expression?

"Nefarious intents" is a relatively formal expression. You would typically find it in news articles, books, or formal reports rather than casual conversation.

What is the difference between "nefarious intents" and "bad intentions"?

"Nefarious intents" carries a stronger connotation of evil and calculated planning compared to "bad intentions". While "bad intentions" might refer to any ill-considered plan, "nefarious intents" suggests a deeper level of moral corruption and deliberate harm.