morally dubious

USAGE SUMMARY

'morally dubious' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is questionable in terms of ethics or morality. For example, "The politician's decision to accept bribes to influence the election result was morally dubious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others were legal but morally dubious.

The Economist

That is a morally dubious transaction.

The Economist

Such morally dubious practices harm the economy.

The New York Times

Then, as now, banking was a morally dubious activity.

Independent

I find that very difficult, and somewhat morally dubious.

Independent

This is a practice with its own morally dubious thrill.

The New Yorker

France has a similar, morally dubious, story to tell.

The Guardian

Including these, especially Michigan's, is politically and morally dubious.

The New Yorker

Then again, criminal kingpins are often convicted on the testimony of morally dubious underlings.

The New Yorker

Michael Jackson's final years were marked by hubris, morally dubious behaviour and exhaustion.

Independent

Students are lobbying their universities to divest from morally dubious industries, such as tobacco or firearms.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "morally dubious" to precisely express reservations about the ethical nature of an action or decision without outright condemnation. It is particularly effective when describing actions where the moral implications are unclear or debated.

Common error

Avoid using "morally dubious" in scenarios requiring stronger ethical condemnation. While useful for expressing uncertainty or mild disapproval, it may dilute the impact in situations involving severe ethical breaches.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "morally dubious" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It qualifies the noun by indicating that it is ethically questionable or of uncertain moral standing. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "morally dubious" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that raises ethical questions, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves to express a level of discomfort or uncertainty about the morality of a situation without necessarily outright condemning it. This phrase is frequently encountered in news and media sources, with occasional appearances in scientific and academic contexts. When you want to express your concern about the moral nature of something but without being overly condemning, "morally dubious" is a good option to explore. If you want to look for alternatives, you can explore options such as "ethically questionable" or "morally questionable".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

morally questionable

Very similar in meaning, emphasizing the moral uncertainty of an action or decision.

ethically questionable

Focuses on the ethical aspects, implying a conflict with established ethical codes.

of doubtful morality

Emphasizes the uncertainty and skepticism associated with the moral aspect of a subject.

of dubious ethics

Mirrors the original structure, placing emphasis on the ethical standards being doubted.

of questionable morality

Rephrases the concept, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the morality of something.

ethically suspect

Suggests that something might not meet ethical standards, indicating a degree of doubt.

morally ambiguous

Indicates a lack of clarity on whether an action is right or wrong, often lacking clear moral guidelines.

morally compromising

Highlights that an action might force someone to violate their moral principles.

of questionable integrity

Shifts focus to the integrity of a person or action, suggesting dishonesty or corruption.

ethically challenging

Suggests a situation that presents a difficult ethical decision, not inherently wrong but difficult.

FAQs

How can I use "morally dubious" in a sentence?

You can use "morally dubious" to describe actions, decisions, or practices that raise ethical concerns. For example, "The company's tax avoidance scheme was "morally dubious", even if technically legal".

What are some alternatives to "morally dubious"?

Alternatives include "ethically questionable", "morally questionable", or "ethically suspect". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "morally dubious" and "illegal"?

"Morally dubious" refers to actions that are ethically questionable but not necessarily against the law. "Illegal" describes actions that violate the law. An action can be "morally dubious" without being illegal, and vice versa.

When is it appropriate to use "morally dubious" instead of "wrong"?

Use "morally dubious" when you want to express uncertainty or a milder form of disapproval. It suggests that something is questionable without outright stating that it's wrong. "Wrong" is a stronger condemnation.