unconscionable

USAGE SUMMARY

"unconscionable" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective which means something that is morally wrong or exceeds what is reasonable or acceptable. Example: It was unconscionable of him to abandon his elderly parents when they needed him the most.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She said: "I think it would be unconscionable to say this is too dark we can't examine it.

The Guardian - Books

The shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen, said the budget was an "unconscionable" attack on lower- and middle-income earners and Labor's "first priorities" in opposing budget measures would be the Medicare co-payment.

The Guardian

Henry Blaxland QC, the defence counsel, said: "If it is the case that HM government was actively involved in supporting armed resistance to the Assad regime at a time when the defendant was present in Syria and himself participating in such resistance it would be unconscionable to allow the prosecution to continue".

The Guardian

Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary-general, is urging David Cameron to use Britain's chairmanship of the G8 to end some of the "unconscionable" practices of companies exploiting Africa's vast reserves of natural resources.

The Guardian - Business

"It's unconscionable, from a perspective of a criminal prosecution – or an interrogation, for that matter".

The Guardian

"It is unconscionable that some companies, often supported by dishonest officials, are using unethical tax avoidance, transfer pricing and anonymous company ownership to maximize their profits, while millions of Africans go without adequate nutrition, health and education".

The Guardian - Business

"Raiding the premises of a legal representative of Timor-Leste and taking such aggressive action against a key witness is unconscionable and unacceptable conduct.

The Guardian

Mantel, who had anticipated a backlash against the story, said on Monday it would be "unconscionable" to regard such a fictional account as off-limits, as her critics have suggested.

The Guardian - Books

If any change to a $30bn-a-year 30bn-a-year 30bn-a-yearivers more taxn 40% of its benefits to the top 10% of householoopholestitutes an unconscionable "sledgehammer" to retirement savings – as the government says – it's hard to see whichthe Coalition wouldeliversraise tax revenue.

The Guardian

The implications for our children mean that it is unconscionable not to act now.

The Guardian - Opinion

No version of events was more inaccurate than that published by MacKenzie's Sun, so it was unconscionable for Hansen to have him as a Telegraph colleague.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unconscionable" to express strong disapproval or moral outrage, especially when describing actions or policies that violate ethical principles or fairness.

Common error

Avoid using "unconscionable" in situations that are merely inconvenient or slightly unfair; reserve it for truly egregious violations of morality or ethics.

Linguistic Context

Unconscionable functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something as shockingly unfair, morally unacceptable, or exceeding reasonable limits. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, aligning with its definition in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unconscionable" is an adjective used to describe something morally wrong, shockingly unfair, or exceeding reasonable limits. Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct and usable word. Its usage is very common, particularly in News & Media. When writing, reserve "unconscionable" for truly egregious violations of ethics or morality, using it to express strong disapproval. Related phrases include "morally indefensible" and "utterly reprehensible". This word helps convey a strong sense of outrage or condemnation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

morally indefensible

Focuses specifically on the ethical aspect, suggesting a lack of moral justification.

utterly reprehensible

Emphasizes the blameworthy and despicable nature of the action or situation.

patently unjust

Highlights the unfairness and inequity of the situation.

completely unacceptable

Indicates that something does not meet the required standards or norms.

wholly unreasonable

Stresses the lack of logic or justification behind a decision or action.

beyond the pale

Suggests that something is outside the bounds of what is considered acceptable behavior.

flagrantly unethical

Highlights a blatant disregard for moral principles and ethical standards.

shockingly unfair

Emphasizes the element of surprise and the blatant inequity of a situation.

egregiously immoral

Indicates that something is conspicuously and outrageously against moral principles.

exorbitantly excessive

Stresses the degree to which something exceeds reasonable limits, especially in cost or amount.

FAQs

How can I use "unconscionable" in a sentence?

You can use "unconscionable" to describe actions or situations that are shockingly unfair or morally unacceptable. For example, "It is "unconscionable" that some companies exploit vulnerable workers."

What are some alternatives to using "unconscionable"?

Alternatives to "unconscionable" include "morally indefensible", "utterly reprehensible", or "completely unacceptable depending on the specific context".

Is it appropriate to use "unconscionable" in formal writing?

Yes, "unconscionable" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to express strong disapproval of something that is morally wrong or excessively unfair.

What's the difference between "unconscionable" and "unethical"?

"Unethical" refers to behavior that violates a code of conduct or set of moral principles, while "unconscionable" implies a higher degree of outrage, suggesting that the behavior is shockingly unfair or unjust. "Unconscionable" often carries a stronger emotional charge than "unethical".