Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of violating a law or laws: "Law-breaking" refers to the action or behavior of committing an illegal act, an offense against the law.
   • An instance of criminal activity: It can also denote a specific act that constitutes a crime.

Usage

• "Law-breaking" is a formal, compound noun used to describe illegal activity in a general or specific sense. It is often used in sociological, legal, or journalistic contexts to discuss crime and deviance.
• Example:
• Example:

Examples

• Noun:
  • The study focused on the social causes of law-breaking among youth.
  • Any form of law-breaking will be dealt with severely by the authorities.

Advanced Usage

• "to engage in law-breaking": to participate in illegal activities.
  • The gang was known to engage in organized law-breaking.
• "a pattern of law-breaking": repeated or habitual criminal behavior.
  • The prosecutor presented evidence of a long pattern of law-breaking.

Variants and Related Words

• Lawbreaker (n): a person who breaks the law; a criminal.
  • The lawbreaker was sentenced to community service.
• Break the law (verb phrase): to commit an illegal act.
  • If you break the law, you must face the consequences.

Synonyms

• Crime: An action or omission that constitutes an offense and is punishable by law.
• Offense: A breach of a law or rule; an illegal act.
• Illegality: The state of being contrary to or forbidden by law.

Antonyms

• Law-abiding: Obedient to the laws.
• Legality: The quality or state of being in accordance with the law.

Related Phrases

• Petty law-breaking: Minor crimes or violations.
  • The court handles many cases of petty law-breaking, such as vandalism.
• Serious law-breaking: Major crimes like robbery or assault.
  • The department prioritizes investigating serious law-breaking.

Noun

1. (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
   • a long record of crimes