Definitions and Examples of illegal, prohibited, unlawful
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
Contrary to or forbidden by law, especially criminal law.
Example
It is illegal to drive without a license.
prohibited
Not allowed; forbidden by authority or law.
Example
Smoking is prohibited in this area.
Not conforming to, permitted by, or recognized by law or rules.
Example
It is unlawful to discriminate against someone based on their race.
Key Differences: illegal vs prohibited vs unlawful
- 1Illegal refers to actions that are specifically prohibited by law and can result in criminal charges.
- 2Prohibited refers to actions that are forbidden by authority or law, but may not necessarily result in criminal charges.
- 3Unlawful refers to actions that are not recognized by law or rules, but may not necessarily be explicitly prohibited.
Effective Usage of illegal, prohibited, unlawful
- 1Legal Matters: Use these antonyms to describe actions or behaviors that are not allowed by law.
- 2Social Issues: Incorporate these antonyms in discussions about social issues such as discrimination, drug use, and human rights violations.
- 3News and Media: Utilize these antonyms when discussing current events related to legal or illegal activities.
Remember this!
The antonyms illegal, prohibited, and unlawful all describe actions or behaviors that are not allowed by law. However, they have distinct nuances: Illegal refers to actions that are specifically prohibited by law and can result in criminal charges, prohibited refers to actions that are forbidden by authority or law, and unlawful refers to actions that are not recognized by law or rules. Use these words to discuss legal matters, social issues, and current events related to illegal activities.
