unethical

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'unethical' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is considered wrong or immoral according to the accepted standards of a particular profession, industry, or society. For example: "The company's decision to reduce wages without considering employee welfare was highly unethical."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The researchers conducting the drug trials opted to give the treatments to all patients who want them, with the support of a World Health Organisation ethics committee, which decided that the death rate was so high it would be unethical to deprive anybody of a drug that might work.

The Guardian

But in Qatar, it seems as though Fifa might have found its perfect partner in unethical behaviour.

The Guardian - Opinion

Meanwhile Farah says he is prepared to speak to seven former members of the Oregon Project, who have spoken privately to the US Anti-Doping Agency with concerns about Salazar's alleged illicit practices and unethical behaviour, to get to the bottom of the matter.

The Guardian - Sport

When Jenkins appeared before the commission last week, Lawson accused the bank of engaging in "industrial scale" tax avoidance that while legal was unethical.

The Guardian - Business

The things King's invests in are unethical, the pay of managers isn't transparent and there's a bad ratio between the highest and lowest paid workers.

The Guardian

That doesn't mean that unethical or illegal acts by individuals aren't significant, however.

The Guardian - Money

Ensuring those who rat out the insider traders and other illegal or unethical actors on Wall Street have the freedom to speak out is well and good – as is protecting them.

The Guardian - Money

Watching everyone share everything in their social lives and instrumenting the web to surveil everything they read outside the system is inherently unethical.

The Guardian - Tech

Here, nudity is offered as an alternative to enabling the unethical practices of the fur trade.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But is it unethical that Sky is paying bloggers to tweet about their programmes?

The Guardian - Opinion

"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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions, use "unethical" to denote violations of professional or societal codes of conduct. Be specific about which ethical principles are being violated to strengthen your argument.

Common error

While actions that are "unethical" might sometimes be illegal, they are not always. Understand the difference: "unethical" refers to moral principles, while "illegal" refers to laws.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unethical" primarily functions to describe nouns, indicating that the action or behavior does not conform to accepted moral standards or professional codes. It is used to express disapproval or condemnation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unethical" is a commonly used adjective that describes actions or behaviors violating accepted moral or professional standards. Ludwig AI validates its correct and appropriate usage across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science publications, the term effectively conveys disapproval and condemnation. When using "unethical", ensure clear understanding of the ethical principles involved and avoid confusing it with "illegal". Consider alternatives like "morally wrong" or "dishonorable" for nuanced expressions. By adhering to best practices and avoiding common errors, writers can effectively use "unethical" to convey their intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

morally wrong

Focuses specifically on the moral dimension of the action, highlighting its deviation from accepted moral standards.

dishonorable

Emphasizes a lack of honor and integrity in the action or behavior.

unconscionable

Highlights the outrageous and shocking nature of the action, suggesting it violates one's conscience.

reprehensible

Emphasizes that the action deserves strong disapproval and condemnation.

corrupt

Indicates a state of moral decay or impurity, often associated with bribery or dishonesty.

unprincipled

Highlights the lack of moral principles guiding the action.

unacceptable

Suggests the action does not meet the minimum standards of what is considered tolerable or permissible.

indefensible

Indicates that the action cannot be justified or excused.

exploitative

Focuses on the unfair use of someone or something for personal gain.

irresponsible

Highlights a lack of care or consideration for the consequences of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "unethical" in a sentence?

You can use "unethical" to describe actions or behaviors that violate accepted moral standards, such as "The company's practice of dumping waste was considered "unethical"".

What can I say instead of "unethical"?

Alternatives to "unethical" include "morally wrong", "dishonorable", or "unconscionable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "slightly unethical"?

Yes, you can qualify the degree of ethical violation. Saying something is "slightly unethical" implies a minor breach of ethical standards, as opposed to a flagrant violation.

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

"Unethical" typically refers to violations of professional or codified ethical standards, whereas "immoral" is a broader term encompassing any violation of moral principles. An action can be both "unethical" and "immoral", but not necessarily.