lawbreaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'lawbreaking' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an adjective that means violating or disregarding the law. Example: The police arrested the lawbreaking group of protesters who were causing chaos and destruction in the city.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is difficult to think of more serious possible misconduct by police officers, who are entrusted with the vitally important and habitually dangerous job of keeping people safe and protecting society from lawbreaking.

The Guardian - Opinion

Either they tolerate lawbreaking on campus or crack down.

The Economist

After the banking crisis revealed ineptitude in high places, and then a scandal broke over parliamentary expenses, parts of the press stand accused of lawbreaking on an industrial scale.

The Economist

As new allegations of lawbreaking surface, journalism itself is reeking.

The Economist

Systems devised by IBM, a technology firm, watch how big local events, proximity to payday and the weather affect the frequency and location of lawbreaking.

The Economist

But if it is proven that News Corporation's managers condoned lawbreaking, they should not be running any newspaper or television firm.

The Economist

Vietnam's press also makes much of police busts of lawbreaking labour recruiters.

The Economist

More police means that some crimes are prevented, others are more easily solved, and still others are displaced — pushed out of the troubled neighborhood — which Kelly says is a good thing, because it disrupts the patterns and practices and social networks that serve as the basis for lawbreaking.

The New Yorker

Ms. Snitker said that the settlement did not involve any admission of lawbreaking.

The New York Times - Tech

"Not only was it a way for the dispossessed to make a living, but compared with the perfectly legal frauds perpetuated by the nation's banks, lawbreaking seemed honest".

The New York Times

It is not a question of adding new people to the work force; they are here, many helping keep the economy afloat while tolerating low pay and abuse from lawbreaking employers who prefer them to American workers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lawbreaking" when you want to emphasize the direct violation of a law, especially in contexts discussing legal and ethical standards.

Common error

Do not use "lawbreaking" to describe minor infractions or ethical breaches that are not strictly illegal; use terms like "misconduct" or "rule-breaking" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lawbreaking" is to act as a noun describing the act of violating laws or as an adjective modifying nouns to indicate an association with illegal activities. As Ludwig AI tells us, the term correctly identifies the act of violating or disregarding the law.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lawbreaking" functions as both a noun and an adjective to denote the act of violating laws, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It commonly appears in news and media, taking a neutral tone. While the term is grammatically sound and widely used, remember to use it accurately to describe serious legal infractions, rather than minor ethical lapses. Alternative phrases like "illegal activity" or "unlawful conduct" may be suitable depending on the specific context. As a highly frequent word with 59 examples found by Ludwig, understanding its proper use is crucial for clear and accurate communication in formal and journalistic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

breaking the law

A more active and explicit way of saying "lawbreaking".

illegal activity

Focuses on the action being against the law, similar to "lawbreaking" but more general.

criminal behavior

Emphasizes the conduct as being criminal in nature.

unlawful conduct

Highlights the impropriety and illegality of the actions.

illicit actions

Suggests secrecy or disapproval of the actions.

criminality

A more abstract term referring to the state of being criminal.

illegal practices

Refers to established methods or ways of doing things that are illegal.

violation of the law

Directly states that a law has been broken.

infringement of rules

Implies a violation of specific rules, which may or may not be legal laws.

transgression

A broader term that can refer to any kind of wrongdoing, not just legal.

FAQs

How is "lawbreaking" used in a sentence?

The term "lawbreaking" can function as both a noun and an adjective. For example, "The investigation focused on the widespread "lawbreaking" within the organization," or "The "lawbreaking" activities led to several arrests."

What are some alternatives to using "lawbreaking"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "illegal activity", "criminal behavior", or "unlawful conduct".

Is there a difference between "lawbreaking" and "breaking the law"?

While both terms refer to the same concept, "breaking the law" is more of an active phrase, while "lawbreaking" can act as a noun to describe instances of illegal actions.

When is it most appropriate to use the term "lawbreaking"?

The term "lawbreaking" is appropriate when discussing serious violations of legal statutes, particularly in journalistic, academic, or formal contexts. In informal settings, "breaking the law" is a more common choice.