While both the words amoral and immoral have something to do with right and wrong, they actually have a difference in terms of meaning. This post will help you identify this difference so you can use these terms properly in your writing.
The word amoral is used as an adjective which means “having or showing no concern about whether behavior is morally right or wrong,” “being outside or beyond the moral order or a particular code of morals” or “being neither moral nor immoral.”
Former intelligence minister says he warned ANC Jacob Zuma was an ‘amoral hypocrite’
The TimesCalling Trump ‘amoral’ gives him a pass
Washington Post‘Narcos’ Creator Chris Brancato On Making Amoral Characters Likable, Criticism, And Hollywood Turning Woke
Huffington Post India
On the other hand, the term immoral functions as an adjective meaning “not moral or conflicting with generally or traditionally held moral principles,” or “not conforming to accepted standards of morality.”
Barring the f-word and other ‘immoral or scandalous’ trademarks is unconstitutional, court rules
Washington PostSaudi man detained for immoral Snapchat post turns out to be mentally ill
Al-ArabiyaPope Francis Calls Nuclear-Arms Race Irrational and Immoral
Wall Street Journal
To further understand these two words, let us discuss what moral means. The term moral is used as an adjective which means “of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior,” or “sanctioned by or operative on one’s conscience or ethical judgment.”
A moral reckoning on the subject of sexual misconduct
National Catholic ReporterPoverty in America is a moral outrage. The soul of our nation is at stake
The GuardianDoes Religion Make People Moral?
New York Times
Now that we’ve discussed the difference between amoral and immoral and even touched on the term moral, you should be able to use them properly in your sentences. Keep in mind that amoral is neither moral nor immoral while immoral is the doing something against morality.
