morally suspect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "morally suspect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions, decisions, or behaviors that raise ethical concerns or doubts about their morality. Example: "The company's decision to cut costs by outsourcing labor to countries with lower wages is morally suspect and has drawn criticism from various advocacy groups."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Increasingly, nearly all forms of discipline appear morally suspect.

The New Yorker

Their collective beauty automatically makes them morally suspect.

The Guardian - Film

Maybe that is why movies have been held morally suspect from their earliest days.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In other words, any belief that reinforces the capitalist status quo is morally suspect.

The Guardian

In his speech, John Kerry described such denial as morally suspect.

The Guardian

"No one would fund the re-enactments because either it seemed morally suspect or they seemed impossible," Mr. Oppenheimer recalled.

The New York Times

Pungent beyond all civilized standards, toxic to both the stomach and the psyche, the pickle was seen as morally suspect.

The New York Times

Since a leader is forced by circumstances to do morally suspect things, Machiavelli at least wants him to do them effectively.

The New York Times

As a general state of mind, boredom is morally suspect, threatening to shine its dull light back on the person who invokes it.

The New York Times - Books

Indeed, on the magazine's more ascetic fringes, there is a tendency to view any kind of individual charisma as somehow morally suspect.

The Guardian - Music

Amanda Hess, in a Times piece, called the podcast "morally suspect," and wrote that Taberski spends much of the podcast "trying to justify his invasions".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "morally suspect", ensure the context clearly indicates which specific moral principles are being called into question.

Common error

Avoid using "morally suspect" as a vague condemnation. Instead, provide concrete reasons and ethical standards that the action or behavior violates. For instance, instead of saying "His business practices are morally suspect", specify "His business practices are morally suspect because they exploit child labor and disregard environmental regulations."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "morally suspect" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe something that raises ethical concerns or doubts about its morality. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "morally suspect" is a versatile and widely used adjective phrase that describes actions, behaviors, or beliefs raising ethical concerns. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct. Its usage spans across various contexts, particularly in news, media, science, and encyclopedias, indicating its broad applicability. When using "morally suspect", it's best practice to provide specific justifications for why something is considered ethically questionable, avoiding vague condemnations. Alternatives such as "ethically questionable", "morally dubious", and "ethically compromised" offer nuanced ways to express similar ethical concerns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ethically questionable

Focuses more directly on whether the action adheres to a specific code of ethics.

morally dubious

Emphasizes the doubtfulness or uncertainty surrounding the morality of something.

ethically compromised

Highlights that ethical principles have been violated or weakened.

of questionable integrity

Focuses on the lack of honesty and strong moral principles.

of dubious morality

Indicates uncertainty about the moral correctness of something.

morally tainted

Suggests something has been contaminated or corrupted from a moral standpoint.

of suspect ethics

Emphasizes that the ethical principles are not trustworthy or reliable.

ethically tainted

Implies that ethical standards have been compromised, leading to corruption.

of questionable repute

Highlights that someone or something has a reputation that is not entirely positive or trustworthy.

of compromised morality

Focuses on the fact that moral standards have been undermined or weakened.

FAQs

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

You can use "morally suspect" to describe actions, decisions, or behaviors that raise ethical concerns. For example, "The company's decision to outsource labor was "morally suspect"."

What are some alternatives to "morally suspect"?

Alternatives include "ethically questionable", "morally dubious", or "ethically compromised" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "ethically questionable" or "morally suspect"?

Both phrases are valid, but "ethically questionable" focuses more on adherence to a specific code of ethics, while "morally suspect" is a broader assessment of moral principles.

What makes something considered "morally suspect"?

An action is considered "morally suspect" when it deviates from accepted standards of right and wrong, raising concerns about its inherent goodness or fairness.