What's the difference between improper and unlawful?

Improper


Definition:

  • (a.) Not proper; not suitable; not fitted to the circumstances, design, or end; unfit; not becoming; incongruous; inappropriate; indecent; as, an improper medicine; improper thought, behavior, language, dress.
  • (a.) Not peculiar or appropriate to individuals; general; common.
  • (a.) Not according to facts; inaccurate; erroneous.
  • (v. t.) To appropriate; to limit.

Example Sentences:

  • (1) The purpose of this paper is to outline procedures that will facilitate the integration of microcomputers into the clinical milieu by (a) identifying the reasons why and how these devices are used improperly; (b) proposing ways to correct these problems; (c) providing recommendations concerning the acquisition of major microcomputer hardware, software, and adaptations; and (d) providing an annotated list of resources for further information.
  • (2) While ruling that there had been improper use of Schedule 7 powers, the judge commented: "It was clear that the Security Service, for entirely understandable reasons, was anxious if possible to get information which could not be regarded as tainted by torture allegations or which might confirm the propriety of a control order."
  • (3) Aggressive or improper toothbrushing techniques may have a detrimental impact on the gingiva.
  • (4) By abusing his power, he was engrossed in irregularities and corruption, had improper relations with several women and was wined and dined at back parlours of deluxe restaurants.
  • (5) If the sexual attack is dealt with improperly or repressed it may cause serious psychologic problems for the victim as an adult.
  • (6) He also denied there was anything improper in his taking work writing for News International newspapers immediately after retiring from the force.
  • (7) Improperly prepared home-canned products which are tasted or consumed without heating are more likely to be associated with botulism.
  • (8) "We believe that this is unavoidable following the recent costs to all the citizens of the UK as a result of banking failures, mismanagement and improper practices," said a spokesperson for the City Reform Group.
  • (9) It’s especially not appropriate for a citizen seeking election to this house or selection to the ministry canvassing for money and support to seek to damage individuals’ reputation by commencing court actions for what could only be an improper purpose.” Palmer said the former treasurer, Joe Hockey, had been staying at the resort at the time and “walked past the table” where they were sitting and “merely sat down to have a coffee”.
  • (10) In some cases, however, the enzymatic defect results from improper post-translational modification which affects precursor processing.
  • (11) These operative-technical errors were divided into three groups: improperly determined level of intestinal resection, defects of transposition, defects of anastomosis creation.
  • (12) Of the paralytic cases 22% had proper vaccination while improper vaccination was found in 78%.
  • (13) In overturning the fine, the court today found that the commission had long "practiced restraint" in exercising its authority to sanction broadcasters for indecent content, and that the mammoth fine was an improper departure from that.
  • (14) The frustrations include separation from family, uncomfortable living conditions, language barriers, and inability to change medical practices that seem improper.
  • (15) In this series, there were two treatment-related deaths, one secondary to the chemotherapy, the other to improper catheter placement.
  • (16) The authors mathematically analyze why they feel the risk was improperly computed.
  • (17) Now that we know the practice is widespread among physicians in training, we can conjecture that the demand for improper reporting of diagnostic data by sonographers is likely widespread among physicians in practice also.
  • (18) "Mourinho denied a breach of FA rule E3 in that his behaviour in re-entering the field of play and approaching the match referee [Foy] in an attempt to speak to him, in or around the 90th minute of the game against Aston Villa on 15 March 2014, amounted to improper conduct.
  • (19) Many advantages are credited with this offensive attitude which requires an appropriate organisation of the Departments of Traumatology, the intimate collaboration of surgeons called orthopedic or plastic surgeons, improperly divided by too administrative compartmentalization of the surgical specialties.
  • (20) This led to a need to carry out improper accounting on an even bigger scale, and as this was repeated, the scale of the inappropriate book-keeping also expanded,” it said.

Unlawful


Definition:

  • (a.) Not lawful; contrary to law.

Example Sentences:

  • (1) Simon said he ruled against Belhaj because American, as well as British, officials were involved in the operation – the rendition of Belhaj and his pregnant wife to Tripoli in 2004 – which Belhaj wanted a British court to declare unlawful.
  • (2) On that basis, the court declared the renewal unlawful.
  • (3) The film director faced a jail term after he pleaded guilty to having unlawful sex with Samantha Gailey (now Geimer), then aged 13.
  • (4) "It may not be nice, kind or flattering, but to put it as unlawful would be startling," White said.
  • (5) UK-US surveillance regime was unlawful ‘for seven years’ Read more The admission that the regime surrounding state snooping on legally privileged communications has also failed to comply with the European convention on human rights comes in advance of a legal challenge, to be heard early next month, in which the security services are alleged to have unlawfully intercepted conversations between lawyers and their clients to provide the government with an advantage in court.
  • (6) "When, not withstanding any caveats or prior assurances, there is still considered to be a real possibility of mistreatment and therefore there is considered to be a risk that the agencies' actions could be judged to be unlawful, the actions may not be taken without authority at a senior level.
  • (7) The tribunal added that Dean's dismissal was a consequence of unlawful harassment arising "not from treating the claimant differently from non-disabled associates [in enforcing the 'look policy'], but in treating her the same in circumstances where it should have made an adjustment".
  • (8) This administrative tool could enable certain immigrants living in the US unlawfully to remain in the country while they apply for a change of status.
  • (9) March 3, 2014 9.46am GMT David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) Nel reads more charges relating to unlawfully discharging firearms in 2012.
  • (10) Led by a handful of outspoken female voices, a rising tide of opinion has instead applauded Polanski's arrest for unlawful sex with a 13-year-old back in 1977.
  • (11) The families were appalled by the eventual verdict of accidental death rather than unlawful killing, and felt that the police force principally responsible for so many deaths had behaved, from the day of the disaster, without humanity.
  • (12) Asylum data breach: immigration unlawfully disclosed personal details Read more In an statement, the former deputy commander of the border protection command (BPC) Abigail Bradshaw said: “If Australia cannot effectively manage who can enter the country and the circumstances and conditions under which people enter then the security of the commonwealth is compromised.” She continued: “Current operations would be compromised by the release of this information.
  • (13) Last month McMullan admitted he personally commissioned private investigators to commit several hundred acts which could be regarded as unlawful, that use of illegal techniques was no secret at the paper, and that senior editors, including Coulson, must have been aware this was going on.
  • (14) The 29 people arrested are reportedly facing charges of joining an unlawful assembly under section 143 of the penal code, which carries a maxiumum 20-year jail term.
  • (15) Special intelligence operations are a new type of covert operation in which intelligence officers receive immunity from liability or prosecution where they may need to engage in conduct that would be otherwise unlawful.
  • (16) These ordinances give special protection to witnesses and power to restrict the places of residence of persons associating with unlawful societies, control traffic at night, and increase maximum penalties for certain offences."
  • (17) Clement-Jones told theguardian.com today that he had been assured the government's new clause 18 would allow for new regulations to be introduced that dealt with websites and other services that allow access to unlawfully copied material.
  • (18) Mark Lewis, the lawyer who acted for clients including Eriksson, said: “There are many more people who will now be able to make claims against the Mirror Group titles in respect of their unlawful activities.” Lewis is the lawyer who also brought the first successful phone-hacking legal claim against Rupert Murdoch’s now-defunct News of the World.
  • (19) HRW said the proposed relocation would unlawfully reduce refugees' access to food, clothing, housing, healthcare and education.
  • (20) It alleged that Martinez took part in “racist and sexist comments as well as unwanted touching and other unlawful conduct”.