unethical character

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unethical character" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone whose moral principles are questionable or lacking. For example, "His unethical character led to a series of dishonest decisions." Alternative expressions include "immoral nature," "dishonorable character," and "corrupt disposition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If the totality of such decisions within a company consistently displays a lack of ethics, then the company in question is perfectly capable of acquiring an overall unethical character.

The Guardian - Opinion

For Kraus, who is in a very secure financial and career position, to question the very insecurely positioned Calloway's not being nice is akin to natural-born citizens accusing an illegal immigrant of having an entirely unethical character because of the lie about citizenship: the powerless and the unlucky sometimes have to lie.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Given that I'm someone who believes religion can sometimes do more harm than good, one of my favorite religion-themed novels is Sinclair Lewis Elmer Gantryy (1927) -- whose title character is a charismatic, unethical, womanizing preacher.

Huffington Post

Under a provision added by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in 2002,15 U.S.C. § 78d-3, the S.E.C. can suspend or bar a lawyer found "to be lacking in character or integrity, or to have engaged in unethical or improper professional conduct".

The New York Times

Rule 102 e) of the S.E.C.'s rules of practice says that the commission can bar a lawyer who is found "to be lacking in character or integrity or to have engaged in unethical or improper professional conduct".

The New York Times

In "The Litigators," at No. 6 in its second week on the trade paperback list, he refers to one character as a shark, and to various others as sleazy, unethical idiots.

The New York Times - Books

Just as blackface is not an acceptable way to depict a black character, having a non-deaf actor pretend to be deaf is irresponsible, unethical, and offensive.

Huffington Post

Afterword: By the way, in Henry VI, Shakespeare's character who said "let's kill all the lawyers" was referring to corrupt and unethical lawyers -- he actually admired lawyers who fought for justice in society.

Huffington Post

These tough decisions reflect my position that character is built during challenging moments, cannot be measured by financial instruments, and is much more valuable than any unethical gains.

Huffington Post

Was this unethical?

The New York Times - Magazine

Otherwise, totally unethical.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional writing, pair this phrase with specific evidence of the actions that led to the characterization.

Common error

Avoid using "unethical character" as a direct synonym for criminal behavior. While many crimes are unethical, a person can possess an "unethical character" by exploiting loopholes or behaving dishonestly while remaining strictly within the bounds of the law.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unethical character" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective modifies the core noun to define a specific moral attribute. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it is often used as a direct object or within a predicative expression to assign a moral status to a subject.

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Reference

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unethical character" is a precise linguistic tool for describing fundamental moral deficiencies in individuals or organizations. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is most commonly utilized in high-quality journalistic sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. It is a grammatically correct way to distinguish between isolated bad acts and a consistent internal state of corruption. When using this term, writers should be mindful that it describes a person's intrinsic nature rather than a single event, making it a powerful and serious descriptor in both professional and public discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

corrupt nature

Suggests a fundamental decay of moral principles often associated with bribery or power abuse.

lack of integrity

A common professional alternative that emphasizes the absence of honesty and consistency.

dishonorable disposition

Focuses on a lack of honor and the tendency to act in a way that brings shame.

questionable ethics

A slightly softer, more speculative phrasing often used in corporate environments.

immoral personality

Shifts the focus from ethical rules to personal morality and individual character traits.

unscrupulous behavior

Emphasizes the specific actions taken rather than the underlying character trait.

shady reputation

A more informal way to describe how someone is perceived based on their past actions.

nefarious profile

Adds a more dramatic or villainous connotation to the person's character.

depraved spirit

A much more intense and literary alternative that implies total moral corruption.

vile temperament

Focuses more on an unpleasant or malicious personality rather than strictly ethics.

FAQs

How to use "unethical character" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an intrinsic quality of an entity, such as: "The corporation eventually acquired an "unethical character" due to its pursuit of profit at any cost."

What can I say instead of "unethical character"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "lack of integrity", "corrupt nature", or "unscrupulous behavior".

Is "unethical character" better than "immoral nature"?

The phrase "unethical character" is often preferred in professional or news contexts because it refers to a breach of social or professional standards, whereas "immoral nature" can sound more subjective or religious.

What is the difference between "unethical character" and "unscrupulous behavior"?

"unethical character" describes who a person is or their internal state, while "unscrupulous behavior" focuses specifically on the external actions they perform.