wrongful intent

USAGE SUMMARY

"wrongful intent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that the intent of someone’s actions were malicious. For example: The jury failed to find evidence of wrongful intent in the defendant’s actions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Even so, although most had been careful in what they had said, they were afraid that relentless prosecutors, such as New York's Preet Bharara, might dig up evidence of wrongful intent that might sway a jury.

The Economist

The attorney general made his complaints after the police and county prosecutors refused to file criminal charges against Dr. Ward, concluding each time that there was not enough evidence to prove wrongful intent.

The New York Times

In the trial of Mr. Kozlowski and Mr. Swartz, several jurors, including Patrick Donovan and others who thought that the defendants were guilty, tried to sway others by showing them examples of ways that Mr. Kozlowski and Mr. Swartz tried to cover up their actions -- and in doing so, they asserted, revealed their wrongful intent.

The New York Times

In addition to showing that the executive's statements were misleading, the court wrote in the case, Tellabs v. Makor Issues & Rights, a shareholder's claim that the executive had wrongful intent had to be "more than merely plausible or reasonable – it must be cogent and at least as compelling as any opposing inference of nonfraudulent intent".

The New York Times

Note that no wrongful intent or culpable conduct on the part or any person or entity is required for a Stark Law violation.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

This violates a plausible principle that holds that it is wrongful to intend to do what it would be wrongful to do (the "wrongful intentions principle").

SEP

Previous aiding-and-abetting and conspiracy statutes required proof of intent to back wrongful conduct, while the material-support law requires only proof of support for designated organizations.

The New York Times - Magazine

Although one or two questionable hires might not prove an intent that was "wrongful" or "evil," a pattern of hiring like the one used in the Sons and Daughters program could be enough to meet this standard.

The New York Times

C1 Tough Job in WorldCom Case The arcana of accounting and the difficulty of finding convincing evidence of intent to commit a wrongful act are hurdles that could make it difficult for prosecutors involved in the WorldCom case to convict top WorldCom executives.

The New York Times

"Whether it is bowing to political pressure or seeking to retain the valuable premises for itself, Con Ed appears intent upon proceeding with the wrongful termination," Mr. El-Gamal said, according to court documents.

The New York Times

Intent is defined as 'the state of a person's mind that directs his or actions towards a specific object' - www.dictionary.com and 'the design of purpose to commit a wrongful or criminal act' – www.merriam-webster.com.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal matters, ensure that the "wrongful intent" is supported by concrete evidence to avoid accusations of defamation or misrepresentation.

Common error

Be careful not to use "wrongful intent" when the action in question was merely negligent or accidental. "Wrongful intent" implies a deliberate and malicious purpose, which is distinct from unintentional harm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wrongful intent" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe a state of mind directed towards unethical or illegal actions. The examples provided demonstrate its usage in legal and ethical discussions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wrongful intent" is a noun phrase denoting a deliberate, malicious purpose behind an action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function lies in legal, ethical, and business contexts, where the motivation behind actions is crucial. While relatively rare in general usage, its meaning is precise and impactful. When using this phrase, ensure a clear understanding of the evidence supporting the claim of "wrongful intent", and avoid confusing it with unintentional negligence. Consider synonyms such as "malicious intent" or "culpable intent" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malicious intent

This alternative emphasizes the malevolent nature of the intention.

culpable intent

This term focuses on the blameworthiness associated with the intention.

criminal intent

This alternative specifically relates the intent to illegal activities.

nefarious purpose

This phrase suggests an evil or wicked goal driving the action.

unethical design

This option highlights the morally questionable planning behind an action.

immoral aim

This phrase emphasizes the lack of moral principles guiding the intention.

illicit objective

This alternative suggests that the goal is unlawful or forbidden.

corrupt motive

This highlights the corrupting influence behind the intent.

fraudulent scheme

This option specifically implies a plan to deceive.

deceitful intention

This emphasizes the deceptive aspect of the intent.

FAQs

How is "wrongful intent" typically proven in legal contexts?

"Wrongful intent" is usually proven through circumstantial evidence, such as documents, communications, or patterns of behavior that suggest a deliberate plan to cause harm or violate the law. Direct evidence is rare, making the legal standard challenging to meet.

What are some synonyms for "wrongful intent" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "malicious intent", "culpable intent", or "criminal intent" to convey a similar meaning.

What is the difference between "wrongful intent" and negligence?

"Wrongful intent" implies a deliberate and malicious purpose to cause harm, while negligence refers to a failure to exercise reasonable care, resulting in unintentional harm. The key distinction is the presence of a conscious plan to do wrong in "wrongful intent".

In what contexts is the phrase "wrongful intent" most commonly used?

The phrase "wrongful intent" is frequently used in legal, ethical, and business contexts to describe actions where someone acted with a deliberate intention to cause harm, violate a law, or breach a contract.