with harmful intent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with harmful intent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or behaviors that are meant to cause harm or injury to someone or something. Example: "The defendant was found guilty of making threats with harmful intent towards his neighbor."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There is little doubt that some individuals did worship the devil and attempt to practice sorcery with harmful intent; however, no one ever embodied the concept of a "witch" as previously described.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Closely linked and overlapped with emotional neglect, invalidation occurs when the victim's feelings and needs are completely invalidated, usually with harmful intent.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The arrest of Park Dae-sung in January and his trial on charges of spreading false data in public with a harmful intent — a crime punishable by as much as five years in prison — prompted debate about how much freedom of expression should be tolerated in cyberspace in this extensively wired country.

The New York Times

It is software that is designed with a harmful intent.

Computers & Security

Czahor said he understands that perspective, but he added, "Context is everything" — for example, the context that he was in an improv comedy group when he posted the tweets that got him in trouble, and they were meant to be "tongue in cheek," with "no harmful intent".

TechCrunch

"After three years of investigation and millions of dollars, they can present no evidence of harmful intent, foreign influence, or harm.

Huffington Post

But he and Deutsche must face a long-drawn-out trial, with the risk of uncomfortable revelations about sloppy procedure.Nor was there any harmful intent in Mr Breuer's remarks in a television interview about the financial health of the Kirch media group shortly before its bankruptcy.

The Economist

To assume that bad intentions are required to make serious harms fundamentally unethical also ignores "errors of omission" and focuses merely on commission having harmful intent.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Thus, Hartshorne can say that God's goodness is not diminished if a fragmentary being is heedless of the good of others, by indifference or harmful intent.

SEP

Those who knew Mr Lubitz have described him as an affable young man, who gave no indications he was harbouring any harmful intent.

BBC

Individuals with high scores tend to be suspicious and distrustful of people, perceive their environment as threatening, and see others as harboring harmful intent.

Diabetes Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions, ensure the context clearly demonstrates the "with harmful intent". Vague descriptions can lead to misinterpretations.

Common error

While "with harmful intent" is grammatically correct, its frequent use in formal writing can make the text sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing by using alternatives like "maliciously" or "with malicious intent" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with harmful intent" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. As noted by Ludwig AI, it indicates that an action was carried out with the specific purpose of causing harm.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with harmful intent" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to specify that an action was performed with the intention of causing harm. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While it appears across various domains, it is most frequently seen in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. For more formal or concise language, alternatives such as "maliciously" or "with malicious intent" can be used. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates the intent to cause harm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with malicious intent

Replaces "harmful" with "malicious", emphasizing the ill will or spite behind the intent. Slightly more emphatic.

deliberately causing harm

Highlights the deliberate and intentional nature of the act of causing harm. Emphasizes the active role of the perpetrator.

with ill intentions

A more general term for having bad or evil purposes. Broader and less specific than the original phrase.

maliciously

Expresses acting with malice or ill will, implying a deliberate intention to cause harm. Shorter and more direct than the original phrase.

with intent to injure

Specifically focuses on the aim to cause physical harm or damage. More direct and physical in its implication.

with malice aforethought

A legal term indicating premeditation and intent to cause harm, often used in the context of murder or other serious crimes. More formal and legalistic.

with sinister motives

Suggests hidden or suspicious reasons for actions, implying a potential for harm. Focuses on the underlying reasons.

with destructive purpose

Focuses on the destructive nature of the intent, highlighting the aim to damage or ruin. Emphasizes the outcome of the intent.

with malevolent design

Indicates a sinister or evil plan behind the actions, implying a carefully crafted intention to cause harm. More formal and literary.

with predatory instincts

Suggests a hunting or exploitative motivation behind harmful actions. Implies an imbalance of power and victimization.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "with harmful intent" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "with malice aforethought" or "with malicious intent" to convey a similar meaning with a more elevated tone. The best option depends on the specific nuance you want to express.

What's a more concise way to express "with harmful intent"?

The adverb "maliciously" can often replace the phrase "with harmful intent" for a more succinct expression. For example, "He acted maliciously" instead of "He acted with harmful intent."

Is there a difference between "with harmful intent" and "with malicious intent"?

While similar, "with "harmful intent"" generally refers to the intention to cause damage or injury, whereas "with malicious intent" often implies a desire to inflict suffering or evil. Malice suggests a deeper level of ill will.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "with harmful intent"?

The phrase "with "harmful intent"" is suitable when you need to emphasize that an action was carried out with the specific goal of causing harm. This is common in legal, ethical, and analytical contexts where the intention behind an action is crucial.