with malign intent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'with malign intent' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action that is done with the intention to harm or cause maliciousness. For example: He urinated in the girl's locker room with malign intent.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

They're rarely associated with malign intent.

The Guardian - Film

The state took over the education of blacks, with malign intent and ruinous consequences.

The New Yorker

This would let anyone with malign intent read encrypted messages sent to those computers.Tricking the machines proved surprisingly easy.

The Economist

Civil liberties groups expressed concerns that the act could be used in the future by a government with malign intent.

The Guardian - Opinion

With the Auteurs, Black Box Recorder and Baader Meinhof he prowled the English suburbs with malign intent, conjuring an atmosphere worlds away from the cosy parochialism of his Britpop contemporaries.

The Guardian - Music

Emm said it was no surprise that news organisations appear to be a target for intelligence agencies, noting that they are "a hub of sensitive information" that is likely to be highly sought-after by authorities with malign intent.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

players also did not appear to have malign intent.

The New York Times - Sports

Some senior government officials touted Mr. Abtahi's confession as proof of the opposition's malign intent.

The New York Times

House Bill 658 preserves the malign intent of the earlier law and makes some of its provisions worse.

The New York Times

These subhuman piles of trashcan garbage would be pitiable if they weren't motivated by such malign intent.

The New Yorker

Under what circumstances might a Typhoon jet be scrambled to take care of an aircraft of potentially malign intent?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with malign intent" when you want to emphasize that an action was performed with a clear and conscious desire to cause harm or damage. It suggests a level of premeditation and ill will beyond simple negligence or carelessness.

Common error

Avoid using "with malign intent" when describing actions that are simply careless or the result of incompetence. "Malign intent" implies a deliberate desire to cause harm, not just a failure to exercise due care.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with malign intent" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that the action is carried out with a deliberate purpose to cause harm or evil, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

21%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with malign intent" is a prepositional phrase used to describe actions carried out with the explicit purpose of causing harm or evil. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English, typically found in neutral to formal contexts such as news reports and legal documents. While not overly common, as indicated by its "Uncommon" frequency rating, it effectively conveys a deliberate and malicious motivation. Understanding the nuances of this phrase can help writers accurately and powerfully portray characters or situations involving premeditated harm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with malicious purpose

Emphasizes the deliberate and premeditated nature of the harmful intention.

with harmful intentions

Focuses on the intention to cause harm, whether physical or emotional.

with evil designs

Implies a carefully crafted plan to achieve wicked goals.

with wicked motives

Highlights the morally reprehensible reasons behind the action.

with sinister aims

Suggests a hidden and malevolent objective.

with destructive goals

Highlights the potential for devastation and ruin.

with malevolent objectives

Emphasizes the ill will and spitefulness driving the action.

with cruel intentions

Focuses on the heartless and pitiless nature of the intent.

with nefarious purposes

Suggests a secret, illegal, or immoral aim.

with vicious designs

Highlights the aggressive and brutal nature of the plan.

FAQs

What does "with malign intent" mean?

The phrase "with malign intent" means acting with the intention to cause harm or evil. It suggests a deliberate and malicious purpose behind one's actions.

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

You can use "with malign intent" to describe someone's actions when they are clearly motivated by a desire to cause damage or suffering. For example, "The hacker designed the virus with malign intent."

What are some synonyms for "with malign intent"?

Some synonyms for "with malign intent" include "with malicious intent", with harmful purpose, or with evil designs.

Is it always necessary to prove "malign intent" in legal cases?

In some legal cases, proving "malign intent" is crucial to establishing guilt or liability. However, the specific requirements vary depending on the nature of the offense.