Confusing Words: Amoral (adjective) and Immoral (adjective)
Meaning:
Amoral (lacking a moral sense; unconcerned with the rightness or wrongness of something.)
Immoral (not conforming to accepted standards of morality.)
Amoral vs Immoral Clarification: Amoral and immoral are related to morality, but there is a difference between these two words. Amoral and immoral are not interchangeable.
Amoral vs Immoral – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?
It seems like one of these words has incorrect spellings. In fact, amoral and immoral are both correct words to use. If we observe these words, we will guess that both of these words are related to morality. Both words have –moral at the end.
Amoral and immoral are, in fact, used as adjectives. These words are, no doubt, related to morality but there is a minor difference in the usage of these words. You cannot use them interchangeably. Both of these words have different circumstances to use in.
Let us discuss them one by one to get a more clear picture.
Amoral
This word is used as an adjective. Amoral means someone or something who is unconcerned or who is not influenced by good or bad; lack of morality.
For instance, if you are doing something wrong and you do not have any idea that what is wrong in that act. Then, it means that you are a completely amoral person in which the idea of right and wrong is absent.
How can we use amoral within sentences?
1. I said sorry to everyone on Peter’s amoral behavior because he was not in his senses.
2. Modern technologies are making our lives amoral and ignorant.
3. In an age enamored of machines, life becomes amoral, without moral bearings, devoid of moral categories. Reference – (vocabulary.com)
Immoral
This particular word is also used as adjective. Unlike amoral, immoral is the word that is being used frequently by people. It is a slightly famous word than amoral. The meaning of immoral is failing to accept the principles of morality. The synonyms for immoral are wicked, evil, foul, unethical or bad.
It means that immoral is the opposite of amoral because if a person has immoral behavior, he/she can be evil. Despite of having enough idea about moral principles, he/she is behaving in a wrong manner.
1. Abusing someone is seriously an immoral act.
2. Occupying someone’s property is an immoral act against law.
3. What is more immoral than war? (Marquis de Sade)
Check Out: What Is An Adjective Clause?
An Important Point
I want to tell you one more important word which is closely related to amoral and immoral. The word is unmoral which is also used as an adjective. Unlike amoral and immoral, unmoral means unconcerned with morality.
This particular word refers to those things that have no senses at all to judge right and wrong. For instance, Nature is unmoral. Animals and machines are also unmoral.
What Did You Learn?
Amoral and immoral are related to morality, but there is a difference between these two words. Amoral and immoral are not interchangeable. There are categories for the usage of these words.
An amoral person is unconcerned that something is right or wrong. An immoral person, on the other hand, can be evil or wicked because he/she has enough idea about moral principles. Do not get confused of the word unmoral. It means unconcerned with morality such as, animals or nature.