What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
forfeiture
Example
The judge ordered the forfeiture of the defendant's assets as part of the sentence. [forfeiture: noun]
Example
He faced the forfeiture of his driver's license for repeated traffic violations. [forfeiture: noun]
confiscation
Example
The police confiscated the drugs and weapons found in the suspect's car. [confiscated: past tense verb]
Example
The government announced the confiscation of the company's assets for tax evasion. [confiscation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Confiscation is more commonly used than forfeiture in everyday language, as it is a more straightforward term that is easily understood. Forfeiture is a more technical term that is often used in legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between forfeiture and confiscation?
Both forfeiture and confiscation are formal terms that are typically used in legal or official contexts. However, confiscation is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while forfeiture is primarily used in legal contexts.