Criminal vs. Unlawful

Criminaladjective

Against the law; forbidden by law.

Unlawfuladjective

Prohibited; not permitted by law (either civil or criminal law; see illegal).

‘He was charged with unlawful use of a car.’;

Criminaladjective

Guilty of breaking the law.

Unlawfuladjective

Not lawful; contrary to law.

Criminaladjective

Of or relating to crime or penal law.

‘His long criminal record suggests that he is a dangerous man.’;

Unlawfuladjective

not conforming to legality, moral law, or social convention;

‘an unconventional marriage’; ‘improper banking practices’;

Criminaladjective

(figuratively) Abhorrent or very undesirable.

‘Printing such asinine opinions is criminal!’;

Unlawfuladjective

contrary to or prohibited by or defiant of law;

‘unlawful measures’; ‘unlawful money’; ‘unlawful hunters’;

Criminalnoun

A person who is guilty of a crime, notably breaking the law.

Unlawfuladjective

not morally right or permissible;

‘unlawful love’;

Criminaladjective

Guilty of crime or sin.

‘The neglect of any of the relative duties renders us criminal in the sight of God.’;

Unlawfuladjective

having no legally established claim;

‘the wrongful heir to the throne’;

Criminaladjective

Involving a crime; of the nature of a crime; - said of an act or of conduct; as, criminal carelessness.

‘Foppish and fantastic ornaments are only indications of vice, not criminal in themselves.’;

Unlawfuladjective

contrary to or forbidden by law;

‘an illegitimate seizure of power’; ‘illicit trade’; ‘an outlaw strike’; ‘unlawful measures’;

Criminaladjective

Relating to crime; - opposed to civil; as, the criminal code.

‘The officers and servants of the crown, violating the personal liberty, or other right of the subject . . . were in some cases liable to criminal process.’;

Criminalnoun

One who has commited a crime; especially, one who is found guilty by verdict, confession, or proof; a malefactor; a felon.

Criminalnoun

someone who has committed (or been legally convicted of) a crime

Criminaladjective

relating to crime or its punishment;

‘criminal court’;

Criminaladjective

bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure;

‘a criminal waste of talent’; ‘a deplorable act of violence’; ‘adultery is as reprehensible for a husband as for a wife’;

Criminaladjective

guilty of crime or serious offense;

‘criminal in the sight of God and man’;

Criminaladjective

involving or being or having the nature of a crime;

‘a criminal offense’; ‘criminal abuse’; ‘felonious intent’;