nefarious purposes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nefarious purposes" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means evil or wicked intentions or motives. It can be used in any context where someone is being deceitful, harmful, or malicious. Example: The company's CEO was arrested for using company funds for nefarious purposes, such as buying expensive cars and luxury vacations for himself and his family.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Was this car crash deliberately staged for nefarious purposes?

The Guardian - Opinion

On Wednesday, Mr. Dimon said he didn't believe the change was made for "nefarious purposes".

The New York Times

And in what ways, exactly, might an ill-intentioned yet formally law-abiding Administration use its powers for nefarious purposes?

The New Yorker

In the past, conspiracy theorists have accused the C.I.A. of helping to spread disease for its own nefarious purposes.

The New York Times

"The echoes of such iconography are obvious: powerful Jews controlling western politicians for their own nefarious purposes.

The Guardian - Opinion

After all, it takes little imagination to see that these vehicles can be used for both good and nefarious purposes.

The Guardian

Studies and common sense suggest that those people most likely to use large bills are doing so for nefarious purposes, especially drug dealing.

The New York Times

(Gates) 'Pocahontas, and/or America' (closes on Saturday) Poor old Pocahontas, always being trotted out by some artist or another for nefarious purposes.

The New York Times

The complexity and opacity of the system means it also appeals to those with more nefarious purposes in mind, such as money laundering or paying for illegal drugs.

The Economist

Dishonorable mention: Goldengirl (1979) A neo-Nazi doctor tries to create a superathlete for the 1980 Moscow Games for vague nefarious purposes.

The New York Times

In Banbury, the task is to check Huawei hardware and software for faults and bugs that could be exploited for nefarious purposes.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the intentions of a character in fiction, using "nefarious purposes" can add a layer of sophistication and foreboding to their actions. For instance, "The villain used his charm to gather followers, all the while planning to use them for his own "nefarious purposes".

Common error

While "nefarious purposes" is a correct and potent phrase, avoid using it in very casual or informal settings. It can sound overly dramatic or out of place in everyday conversation. Simpler terms like "bad intentions" or "evil plans" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nefarious purposes" functions as a noun phrase, where "nefarious" is an adjective modifying the noun "purposes". It typically acts as an adverbial modifier within a sentence, describing the intent or motivation behind an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nefarious purposes" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression signifying evil or wicked intentions. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, especially in news, media, and formal settings, where its strong connotations can effectively convey disapproval. While synonyms like "evil intentions" or "malicious objectives" exist, "nefarious purposes" adds a layer of sophistication. However, avoid overusing it in casual conversations, as simpler terms may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evil intentions

Focuses specifically on the evil aspect of the intentions, omitting the broader implication of a plan or scheme.

wicked aims

Replaces "purposes" with "aims", suggesting a slightly more direct and focused objective.

malicious objectives

Substitutes "nefarious" with "malicious" and "purposes" with "objectives", emphasizing the intent to cause harm.

criminal intentions

Highlights the illegal nature of the planned actions, narrowing the scope to unlawful activities.

sinister motives

Uses "motives" instead of "purposes", shifting the focus to the underlying reasons behind the actions.

corrupt designs

Emphasizes the moral decay and depravity associated with the schemes, using "designs" to suggest careful planning.

dishonorable goals

Replaces "nefarious" with "dishonorable", softening the negative connotation slightly, and uses "goals" to imply a specific target.

immoral schemes

Highlights the ethical violation involved, with "schemes" suggesting a secret and underhanded plan.

unethical agendas

Emphasizes the lack of ethical principles guiding the intentions, with "agendas" implying a hidden or undisclosed plan.

base motives

Focuses on the ignoble and contemptible nature of the driving forces behind the actions, simplifying the expression.

FAQs

What does "nefarious purposes" mean?

The phrase "nefarious purposes" refers to evil, wicked, or criminal intentions and goals. It suggests that someone is planning to do something harmful or illegal.

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

You can use "nefarious purposes" to describe the intentions behind someone's actions, such as: "The hacker used stolen data for "criminal intentions"", or "The politician was accused of using his position for "corrupt designs"".

What are some synonyms for "nefarious purposes"?

Some synonyms for "nefarious purposes" include "evil intentions", "wicked aims", "malicious objectives", and "sinister motives".

Is it appropriate to use "nefarious purposes" in formal writing?

Yes, "nefarious purposes" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you want to convey a strong sense of disapproval or condemnation. It's often found in news articles, academic papers, and legal documents.