Definitions
- Referring to an action or access that is not permitted or approved. - Describing something that is done without proper authorization or permission. - Talking about a person who does not have the necessary authority or permission to perform a particular action.
- Referring to an action or behavior that is prohibited by law. - Describing something that is against the law or criminal. - Talking about a person who commits a crime or violates the law.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe actions or behaviors that are not allowed.
- 2Both words imply that there are consequences for the action or behavior.
- 3Both words can be used to describe a person who is breaking rules or laws.
What is the difference?
- 1Scope: Unauthorized refers to actions or access that are not permitted, while illegal specifically refers to actions that are against the law.
- 2Severity: Illegal implies a more serious offense than unauthorized, as it involves breaking the law and can result in legal consequences.
- 3Authority: Unauthorized suggests a lack of permission or approval, while illegal implies a violation of established laws or regulations.
- 4Context: Unauthorized is often used in professional or organizational settings, while illegal is more commonly used in legal or criminal contexts.
- 5Connotation: Unauthorized may suggest a minor infraction or mistake, while illegal has a negative connotation and implies wrongdoing.
Remember this!
Unauthorized and illegal are synonyms that describe actions or behaviors that are not allowed. However, unauthorized refers to actions or access that are not permitted, while illegal specifically refers to actions that are against the law. Unauthorized is often used in professional or organizational settings, while illegal is more commonly used in legal or criminal contexts.
