conscienceless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conscienceless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who lacks a sense of morality or conscience, often in a negative context. Example: "The conscienceless actions of the corporation led to widespread environmental damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Both Chris and his beloved artworks are exploited by the conscienceless pair until he finally snaps.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most Whigs viewed Polk's motives as conscienceless land grabbing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet most of these major works are marred by evasions and omissions of truth though Lockhart and Froude, for example, were attacked as conscienceless despoilers of the dead and, before the middle of the century, biography was becoming stifled.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Its ghastly blank lies underneath your dreams, that once gave rise to horn-hard, conscienceless erections.

The New Yorker

But I do think that there are instances where individuals come in as bank robbers or drug dealers and, after being socialized in the violent, apartheid world of prisons and the gangs there, are transformed into conscienceless killers.

The New Yorker

Starr has shown us how a conscienceless, ideologically vindictive use of the investigative privilege can undercut the legitimacy of any duly elected American government.... My own view is that if Mr. Clinton is impeached or forced to resign, American Puritanism, with its punitive lusts and its theocratic visions, will be reborn for the twenty-first century.

The New Yorker

To my ears, Jean Seberg's performances for him are excruciating, yet her callow, just-off-the-farm quality was exactly what Godard wanted for the conscienceless American girl in "Breathless" (1959).

The New Yorker

Caught in the middle are two women who suffer most of the physical consequences of the film's ruling metaphor of sadomasochism: Barbara Parkins, as an American safecracker (she can open a combination lock with her toes), and Bibi Andersson, as a German prostitute now married to von Sydow's conscienceless spymaster.

The New York Times

Will we start getting conscienceless soldiers?" What do you think?

The New York Times - Science

But the characters who actually drive the plot are the conniving pair of superegos played by Tim Matheson, as the conscienceless womanizer Otter, and Peter Riegert as Boone, an upperclassman with a modicum of self-awareness and one foot in the adult world.

The New York Times

1963 Israel Seeks Halt on Arms for Egypt JERUSALEM (Israeli Sector) — Israel demanded today [March 20] that the West German government halt the activities of "conscienceless" German scientists helping Egypt develop weapons "banned by international law" and aimed at Israel's destruction.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conscienceless" to describe actions or individuals who demonstrate a complete lack of moral consideration or remorse. It effectively conveys a severe absence of ethical principles.

Common error

Avoid confusing "conscienceless", which means lacking a conscience, with "unconscious", which means not conscious or aware. The words have entirely different meanings and contexts.

Linguistic Context

The word "conscienceless" functions primarily as an adjective. It is used to describe someone or something lacking a conscience or moral scruples. Ludwig confirms that this adjective is used to attribute a lack of moral consideration to a noun.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Books

22%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "conscienceless" is used to describe a lack of moral scruples, and Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. As demonstrated by the examples provided, "conscienceless" is frequently found in news and media, books, and encyclopedias, highlighting individuals or actions devoid of ethical considerations. When writing with "conscienceless", ensure you are accurately conveying a severe absence of moral principles rather than simply a lack of awareness, and avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like "unconscious".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unscrupulous

Focuses on the lack of moral principles in a general sense.

ruthless

Emphasizes the lack of pity or compassion.

devoid of conscience

A more formal and explicit way of stating the absence of a conscience.

without scruples

Highlights the absence of moral or ethical considerations.

unprincipled

Focuses on the lack of adherence to moral principles.

amoral

Suggests a lack of understanding or concern for morality.

callous

Emphasizes the insensitivity and disregard for others' feelings.

heartless

Highlights the lack of empathy or compassion.

inhuman

Suggests a cruelty that is beyond normal human behavior.

soulless

Implies a profound lack of moral or spiritual depth.

FAQs

How can I use "conscienceless" in a sentence?

You can use "conscienceless" to describe a person, action, or system that displays a total disregard for morality or ethics. For example, "The company's "conscienceless" exploitation of its workers was widely condemned."

What are some synonyms for "conscienceless"?

Some synonyms for "conscienceless" include "unscrupulous", "ruthless", and "unprincipled". Each carries a slightly different nuance related to the absence of moral consideration.

Is it correct to use "conscienceless" to describe an object or system?

Yes, "conscienceless" can be used metaphorically to describe an object or system that operates without regard for ethical concerns. For example, "The "conscienceless" machine of bureaucracy ground on, uncaring of individual needs."

What is the difference between "conscienceless" and "amoral"?

"Conscienceless" implies a knowing disregard for moral principles, while "amoral" suggests a lack of understanding or concern for morality in the first place. A "conscienceless" person understands right from wrong but chooses wrong, while an "amoral" person may not even recognize the distinction.