nefarious reasons

USAGE SUMMARY

"nefarious reasons" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone's motivations or intentions that are wicked, immoral, or evil in nature. Example: "The dictator's actions were driven by nefarious reasons, as he sought to gain absolute power and control over his people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

It may be for even more insipid or nefarious reasons.

Columbia University

But there were often less nefarious reasons for their absence, he said.

The Guardian

SANTORA We're going to have people break out of prison for what we think are nefarious reasons, but they might possibly turn out to be more noble.

The New York Times - Arts

Lately, Tirole and others have pushed back against this sunny story, providing rigorous game-theoretic arguments showing that dominant firms sometimes have nefarious reasons to integrate vertically.

The New Yorker

"One can come up with all sorts of nefarious reasons, but one doesn't want to think that way about our government".

The New Yorker

And what are the odds that Killian and Hansen will pass up the opportunity to use their influence over Iron Man's suit technology for nefarious reasons?

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Porn.com Bad luck if you'd been waiting for this one to pop up for whatever nefarious reason, but the domain porn.com has sold for $9m.

The Guardian

He had shut down the commission not for any nefarious reason but because it had served its purpose, pressuring the legislature to accept a package of ethics reforms, he insisted.

The New Yorker

But in the eyes of local officials and police, who discovered and excavated the mystery chamber last month, it's just a baffling hole in the ground built for no discernable or especially "nefarious" reason.

The Guardian

3.58pm: Mike Grant in San Francisco reckons there may be a nefarious reason for Lucas's continual inclusion in the Liverpool team: "Maybe he has some dodgy photos," says he. He's a tidy enough player Mike, and if he does have any photos of Benítez, who really would want to see them.

The Guardian - Sport

And there is no shortage of things Trump has said during this campaign that have left all of us to interpret them -- from Megyn Kelly's "blood coming out of her wherever," to saying he could have told Mitt Romney in 2012 to "drop to your knees" for his endorsement, to suggesting there might be a nefarious reason President Obama isn't tougher on terrorism.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nefarious reasons", ensure the context clearly establishes the immoral or malicious nature of the motivations. Avoid overuse in casual contexts; the phrase carries a significant weight of negativity.

Common error

Avoid using "nefarious reasons" when simpler explanations suffice. Overusing it can create unnecessary drama or imply malicious intent where none exists. Make sure you use it with the right weight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nefarious reasons" primarily functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It indicates the underlying justifications or motivations for actions, particularly when those actions are morally wrong or evil. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

8%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nefarious reasons" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes motivations rooted in evil or malicious intent. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase serves to strongly condemn the unethical justifications behind actions. When employing this phrase, ensure the context aligns with its severe connotation and avoid overuse. Alternatives such as "evil intentions" or "wicked motives" can provide similar impact with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evil intentions

Focuses on the intent behind the actions, emphasizing the malevolent planning.

wicked motives

Highlights the immoral and sinful nature of the driving forces behind actions.

corrupt purposes

Emphasizes the decay and lack of integrity in the aims being pursued.

immoral grounds

Shifts the focus to the principles or justifications that are violated by the actions.

sinister objectives

Stresses the threatening and ominous nature of the goals.

dishonorable aims

Highlights the lack of ethics and integrity in the goals.

unscrupulous motivations

Focuses on the lack of moral principles guiding the actions.

criminal intents

Specifically points to intentions that violate the law.

malicious designs

Highlights the intent to cause harm or suffering.

unsavory purposes

Implies a distasteful or objectionable nature of the goals.

FAQs

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

You can use "nefarious reasons" to describe the underlying motivations for someone's unethical or evil behavior. For example, "The villain's plot was driven by "nefarious reasons", including greed and a thirst for power."

What are some alternatives to "nefarious reasons"?

Some alternatives include "evil intentions", "wicked motives", or "corrupt purposes", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "nefarious reasons" is appropriate for formal writing when the context involves serious misconduct or evil intentions. Ensure your tone and evidence support the strong connotation of the phrase.

What is the difference between "nefarious reasons" and "ulterior motives"?

"Nefarious reasons" implies evil or wicked motivations, while "ulterior motives" suggests hidden or unacknowledged reasons that aren't necessarily evil. Ulterior motives are often just selfish or self-serving, while nefarious reasons indicate a desire to cause harm or commit evil deeds.