with malicious intent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with malicious intent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or behaviors that are done deliberately to cause harm or injury to others. Example: "The hacker accessed the system with malicious intent, aiming to steal sensitive information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

What she has heard, she said, is "not with malicious intent, it's play.

The New York Times

Protecting the system against hackers with malicious intent is not a valid argument for secrecy.

The New York Times

"If they register a tree with malicious intent, then they are liable," Ms. Petro said.

The New York Times

The nightmare of being isolated from her family and on the run from strangers with malicious intent endures.

Independent

You have been convicted of violating me with malicious intent, and all you can admit to is consuming alcohol.

The Guardian

The education minister, Smriti Irani, said Rohith's suicide was misrepresented with "malicious intent" as "a dalit v. non-dalit issue".

The Guardian

He roars and growls his pain, and in his solos his guitar wails and jabs with malicious intent.

The New York Times

He survived  and thrived despite being a natural  target in high school rugby, when Maori boys looked after their own  with malicious intent and efficiency.

Independent

It wasn't a great leap for me to imagine that an aged Eustace might go after the butterfly with malicious intent".

The New Yorker

According to The Hindu, Yerraguntla Shyam Sundar filed it arguing that the editor and Dhoni "deliberately and with malicious intent outraged the feeling of Hindus at large".

Independent

Mr. Kronish acknowledged that some factual details, like the date that the Peace Corps was established, were changed for concision or dramatic license, but not with malicious intent.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing legal or criminal contexts, using the phrase "with malicious intent" can add precision and emphasize the deliberate nature of the harmful act. Ensure the context supports the gravity of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "with malicious intent" in situations involving minor misunderstandings or unintentional errors. The phrase implies a significant level of premeditation and harm, so reserve it for scenarios where genuine malevolence is evident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with malicious intent" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It specifies that the action is carried out with a deliberate and harmful purpose. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with malicious intent" is a grammatically correct and widely used adverbial phrase that emphasizes the deliberate and harmful nature of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It is particularly relevant in legal and ethical contexts, where proving malicious intent can have significant consequences. While its register is generally neutral, leaning towards formal, it's crucial to avoid overusing it in minor situations. Alternatives such as "with sinister intent" or "with deliberate intent" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning you intend to convey. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, followed by scientific publications, reflecting its relevance in discussing both current events and research findings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with sinister intent

Synonymous, suggesting a more ominous or threatening underlying purpose.

with malign intent

Synonymous, emphasizes the evil or harmful nature of the intent.

with vicious intent

Emphasizes the cruelty and violence associated with the intention.

with nefarious intent

Suggests a wicked or villainous purpose.

with deliberate intent

Focuses on the conscious and planned nature of the intention, lacking the inherent negativity.

with willful intent

Highlights the voluntary and intentional aspect of the action, but less negative.

with criminal intent

Specifies that the intent is to commit a crime.

with bad intent

General term for having a negative purpose.

with ill intent

Similar to "with bad intent", indicating harmful intentions.

with fraudulent intent

Specifically relates to the intention to deceive or commit fraud.

FAQs

How can I use "with malicious intent" in a sentence?

The phrase "with malicious intent" typically describes an action done deliberately to cause harm. For example: "The hacker accessed the system "with malicious intent", aiming to steal sensitive information".

What are some alternatives to "with malicious intent"?

You can use alternatives like "with sinister intent", "with deliberate intent", or "with malign intent" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "with malicious intent" and "with bad intent"?

"With malicious intent" implies a higher degree of planning and a stronger desire to cause harm compared to "with bad intent", which is a more general term for having a negative purpose.

In legal contexts, how important is proving someone acted "with malicious intent"?

In many legal cases, proving that an action was committed "with malicious intent" is crucial for establishing guilt and determining the severity of the punishment. It distinguishes accidental harm from deliberate wrongdoing.