Lynching vs. Hanging — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 2, 2024
Lynching involves extrajudicial killing by a group, often as a form of punishment or social justice, while hanging is a method of execution or suicide involving suspension by the neck.
Difference Between Lynching and Hanging
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Lynching is a form of violence where a mob, taking the law into its own hands, punishes an individual (often without a fair trial), driven by social, racial, or political motives. Whereas hanging, whether judicial or extrajudicial, involves the specific act of killing or suicide by suspending a person by the neck, often with a rope.
Lynching has historically been associated with racial violence, particularly in the United States, targeting African Americans as a means of enforcing racial segregation and white supremacy. On the other hand, hanging has been used worldwide as a form of capital punishment or execution, sanctioned by law or carried out by individuals on themselves (suicide).
While both lynching and hanging can result in death by suspension, lynching is characterized by its extrajudicial nature and often involves torture or mutilation before death. Hanging, in its judicial form, is designed to be a swift method of execution, typically carried out after a legal conviction.
Lynching serves as a tool of social control, instilling fear within a community or group, whereas hanging, especially in legal contexts, aims to serve justice or deter crime according to the principles of a legal system.
The motivations behind lynching and hanging also differ; lynching is often driven by communal sentiment, prejudice, or mob mentality without legal sanction. In contrast, hanging, particularly judicial hanging, is a state-sanctioned action following a legal process and verdict.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Extrajudicial; often mob-driven
Can be judicial (as punishment) or extrajudicial; method of execution or suicide
Legal Status
Unlawful and not sanctioned by legal systems
Can be lawful (as a form of capital punishment) or unlawful (when used for suicide or extrajudicial killings)
Motivation
Often motivated by prejudice, social control, or vigilante justice
Execution for crimes (judicial) or personal reasons (suicide)
Process
May involve torture or mutilation; not limited to hanging
Involves suspension by the neck, aiming for a swift death
Historical Context
Particularly associated with racial violence in the U.S.
Used globally for capital punishment and personal suicide
Compare with Definitions
Lynching
Mob justice without legal sanction, often resulting in death.
He feared that the false accusation would lead to his lynching.
Hanging
Execution by suspending someone by the neck until dead.
The convicted spy was executed by hanging at dawn.
Lynching
The act of killing someone, especially by hanging, for an alleged offense with or without a legal trial.
The photograph from the early 20th century shows a crowd witnessing a lynching.
Hanging
The act or an instance of suspending something from above so that it hangs.
The artist's new exhibition features a hanging of colorful tapestries.
Lynching
An act of violence inflicted by a mob upon a presumed offender to enforce justice or revenge.
The novel explores themes of racial tension and lynching in the southern United States.
Hanging
Judicial punishment where the guilty party is sentenced to death by suspension from the neck.
Hanging remained a legal form of capital punishment in some countries into the 21st century.
Lynching
An extrajudicial punishment that can involve hanging but isn’t limited to it.
Historical records document cases of lynching that included burning and mutilation.
Hanging
A method of suicide involving self-suspension by the neck.
The investigation concluded that the cause of death was suicide by hanging.
Lynching
A method of social control through terror and punishment without due process.
Lynching served as a grim reminder of the consequences of crossing social boundaries.
Hanging
A method of execution or suicide that specifically involves the neck and airway obstruction.
Despite the moratorium, hanging continues to be used in certain jurisdictions.
Lynching
Lynching is an extrajudicial killing by a group. It is most often used to characterize informal public executions by a mob in order to punish an alleged transgressor, punish a convicted transgressor, or intimidate.
Hanging
Hanging is the suspension of a person by a noose or ligature around the neck. The Oxford English Dictionary states that hanging in this sense is "specifically to put to death by suspension by the neck", though it formerly also referred to crucifixion and death by impalement in which the body would remain "hanging".
Lynching
To punish (a person) without legal process or authority, especially by hanging, for a perceived offense or as an act of bigotry.
Hanging
A method of execution whereby the person is dropped and suspended from a rope around the neck, resulting in death from severing of the spinal cord, strangulation, or other causes.
Lynching
Execution of a person by mob action without due process of law, especially by hanging.
Hanging
Something, such as a tapestry, that is hung.
Lynching
Present participle of lynch
Hanging
A descending slope or an inclination.
Lynching
Putting a person to death by mob action without due process of law
Hanging
Situated, as on a steep slope, so as to appear to hang down
A hanging garden.
Hanging
Projecting downward or outward; overhanging
Hanging vines.
A hanging staircase.
Hanging
Suited for holding something that hangs
A hanging rack.
Hanging
(Baseball) Being a pitch that fails to break as intended.
Hanging
Deserving death by hanging
A hanging crime.
Hanging
Disposed to inflict severe sentences, such as death by hanging
A hanging judge.
Hanging
Present participle of hang
Hanging
Suspended.
The hanging vines made the house look older than it was.
Hanging
Unprotected and exposed to capture.
Hanging
Hittable; poorly executed by the pitcher, hence relatively easy to hit.
Hanging breaking ball
Hanging slider
Hanging
Ugly; very unattractive; disgusting.
Hanging
The act of hanging a person (or oneself) by the neck in order to kill that person (or to commit suicide). Category:en:Capital punishment
Hanging is the punishment for one convicted of war crimes, there.
The hanging of the bandits was attended by the whole village.
Hanging
(countable) Anything that is hung as a decorative element (such as curtains, gobelins, or posters).
The various hangings on that Christmas tree look nice.
Hanging
(uncountable) The way in which hangings (decorations) are arranged.
I dislike the cramped hanging in the gallery of 18th century painters.
Hanging
Requiring, deserving, or foreboding death by the halter.
Hanging
Suspended from above; pendent; as, hanging shelves.
Hanging
Adapted for sustaining a hanging object; as, the hanging post of a gate, the post which holds the hinges.
Hanging
The act of suspending anything; the state of being suspended.
Hanging
Death by suspension; execution by a halter.
Hanging
That which is hung as lining or drapery for the walls of a room, as tapestry, paper, etc., or to cover or drape a door or window; - used chiefly in the plural.
Now purple hangings clothe the palace walls.
Hanging
Decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window;
The cold castle walls were covered with hangings
Hanging
A form of capital punishment; victim is suspended by the neck from a gallows or gibbet until dead;
In those days the hanging of criminals was a public entertainment
Hanging
The act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely);
There was a small ceremony for the hanging of the portrait
Common Curiosities
Is lynching considered a legal form of punishment?
No, lynching is an extrajudicial action and is considered unlawful and a violation of human rights.
What is lynching?
Lynching refers to the extrajudicial killing of an individual, often by a mob, without a legal trial, typically motivated by social, racial, or political reasons.
Is hanging a quick method of death?
When performed properly, judicial hanging is designed to be a swift method of execution, aiming to cause death by breaking the neck or inducing rapid unconsciousness followed by death.
How does lynching differ from hanging?
Lynching is an unlawful, mob-driven act of violence, often involving hanging but can include other forms of killing, while hanging specifically refers to the method of execution or suicide by suspension by the neck.
What constitutes hanging?
Hanging is a method of execution or suicide that involves suspending a person by the neck, leading to death.
Can hanging be a lawful method of execution?
Yes, in some jurisdictions, hanging is a lawful method of judicial execution, carried out after a conviction in a court of law.
Why did communities participate in lynching?
Communities participated in lynching as a form of vigilante justice, motivated by prejudice, a desire for social control, or to instill fear within a particular group.
Can hanging be considered a humane method of execution?
The humanity of hanging as a method of execution is debated, with opponents citing potential for suffering and proponents claiming it can be quick if done correctly.
Were lynchings only performed by hanging?
No, while many lynchings involved hanging, they could also include burning, shooting, or other forms of violence and torture.
Have countries globally used hanging as a form of capital punishment?
Yes, historically and currently, various countries around the world have used hanging as a legal form of capital punishment.
What are the ethical considerations surrounding hanging as a capital punishment?
Ethical considerations include debates over the death penalty's morality, the potential for wrongful execution, and the method's effectiveness as a deterrent to crime.
How does the community's role in lynching compare to judicial hanging?
In lynching, the community acts as judge, jury, and executioner without legal sanction, whereas judicial hanging is a state-sanctioned, legal process following a court's verdict.
What psychological impact does lynching have on communities?
Lynching can instill widespread fear and trauma within communities, particularly among groups targeted by such violence.
What has been done to stop lynching?
Efforts to stop lynching have included legal reforms, increased law enforcement intervention, and social movements advocating for civil rights and justice.
Can hanging be used for purposes other than execution or suicide?
While primarily associated with execution or suicide, the term "hanging" can also refer to the act of suspending objects for display or decoration.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
