vile purposes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vile purposes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe intentions or goals that are morally reprehensible or wicked. Example: "The organization was exposed for its involvement in activities driven by vile purposes, harming countless individuals in the process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

We feel this way any time the Tor network and software are used for vile purposes.

TechCrunch

"In reality he was a sickening and prolific sexual abuser who repeatedly exploited the trust of a nation for his own vile purposes".

BBC

"Today's report shows that in reality he was a sickening and prolific sexual abuser who repeatedly exploited the trust of a nation for his own vile purposes".

BBC

As a result of this trend, the old common belief about immigration into the U.S. needs to be set apart into a more complex one: there are those who take their chances by coming to America on their own to seek work and perhaps also find a better life; and, there are those who are being brought here as human cargo, and destined for the most vile purposes as forced labor and prostitution.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Worse, the lyric was fit for Negan's vile purpose: when, like Daryl, you're beaten and bloody and you've just finished a dog food sandwich for dinner, the last thing you want to hear is someone singing about how great their life is.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They uncover the facility's vile purpose and discover more clues about Latif's destructive plan -- but, of course, they also find themselves in a few tricky, explosive situations.

Huffington Post

"Flying it as a symbol of white racial supremacy is undeniably vile, and any official use of the flag for that purpose should end, immediately," he wrote.

Huffington Post

Bill Donohue, the president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, called "Corpus Christi" a "vile play" and charged that The Times liked it "not for artistic purposes but for its assault on Catholicism".

The New York Times

Inappropriate use of family entertainment characters: Content that depicts family entertainment characters engaged in violent, sexual, vile, or otherwise inappropriate behavior, even if done for comedic or satirical purposes.

TechCrunch

Ultimately, evoking the deaths of six million Jews, without their authority and for the sole purpose of lobbying against an enemy nation, is a vile form of propaganda.

Huffington Post

The vile part is how this case and the Ferguson case were completely mismanaged for the purposes of (not) returning a grand jury indictment.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "vile purposes", ensure the context clearly establishes the morally reprehensible nature of the intentions being described. Providing specific examples or details can strengthen the impact of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "vile purposes" when describing actions that are merely unpopular or controversial. The phrase carries a strong negative connotation and should be reserved for situations involving genuine moral corruption or wickedness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vile purposes" functions as a noun phrase, where "vile" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "purposes". Ludwig AI analysis confirms its use in describing morally reprehensible intentions or goals, which is demonstrated through several examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "vile purposes" is used to describe morally reprehensible intentions. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and appears primarily in News & Media sources. While not frequently used, it effectively conveys strong disapproval and condemnation. When employing this phrase, ensure the context justifies its strong negative connotation to avoid misapplication. Alternative phrases like "nefarious aims" or "wicked intentions" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wicked intentions

Emphasizes the intentionality and malevolence behind the purposes.

nefarious aims

Suggests a secretive and potentially illegal nature of the purposes.

despicable goals

Focuses on the contemptible nature of the objectives.

reprehensible motives

Highlights the blameworthy and unacceptable nature of the driving forces.

immoral designs

Indicates a violation of moral principles in the planning of the purposes.

base objectives

Implies a lack of nobility or dignity in the intended outcomes.

sinister schemes

Suggests a hidden and potentially dangerous plan behind the purposes.

corrupt ambitions

Highlights the dishonest and self-serving nature of the aspirations.

evil machinations

Focuses on the complex and manipulative nature of the purposes.

atrocious motivations

Emphasizes the shocking and horrifying nature of the underlying reasons.

FAQs

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

You can use "vile purposes" to describe intentions or goals that are morally reprehensible or wicked. For example: "The dictator used propaganda for "manipulative purposes" and justified his "heinous actions" by claiming they served a greater good."

What are some synonyms for "vile purposes"?

Synonyms for "vile purposes" include phrases like "nefarious aims", "wicked intentions", or "despicable goals". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, it is appropriate to use "vile purposes" in formal writing, but ensure the context warrants such a strong term. The phrase is suitable when describing genuinely immoral or wicked intentions, especially in news reports, academic analyses, or legal documents.

What is the difference between "vile purposes" and "evil purposes"?

While both phrases describe negative intentions, "vile purposes" emphasizes the morally disgusting or reprehensible nature of the intentions, whereas "evil purposes" focuses more on the inherent wickedness or malevolence. The choice depends on which aspect you wish to emphasize.